Alcaraz: Djokovic is always tough to face, so I definitely prefer playing Musetti; I'm still single.

The ATP Finals in Turin began last night, and Alcaraz completed his first match of the event with a straightforward victory. Afterward, he spoke openly about the altered lineup this year, expressing a clear preference for playing Musetti over the top player Djokovic.

When questioned by journalists about his next opponent, Alcaraz provided an in-depth evaluation of the possible rivals. "Obviously, having someone like Novak in the group is always challenging because of his experience in this event and his strong indoor court skills."

He did not shy away from recalling his previous loss to Djokovic here: "In 2023, I lost to him here, and I actually played well, but he still managed to beat me that day (laughs)." Then, with his trademark smile, he admitted frankly, "Honestly, I’d rather face Lorenzo. I’m not lying. The fact that he’s here means he deserves it; he’s had a great year overall, and I believe he’ll perform well here too."

In fact, there is good reason behind Alcaraz’s straightforward remarks. Although Djokovic is already 38, his performance in Grand Slams this year remains impressive, and their head-to-head in the four majors this year is tied at one win each. As a seven-time champion of the ATP Finals, Djokovic’s dominance on indoor hard courts is well known, making him an opponent everyone hopes to avoid.

On the other hand, Alcaraz holds a perfect winning record against Musetti, which undoubtedly gives him a psychological edge in these crucial group matches. Given that every match impacts qualification, choosing the theoretically easier opponent is definitely the smarter option.

Alcaraz’s comments quickly sparked discussion within the tennis community. Most fans understood his stance, with some social media users commenting, "That’s real, who wouldn’t want a more favorable matchup?" Veteran tennis analysts noted, "Clearly, Djokovic’s mental and tactical skills in major events like the ATP Finals are astonishing, and since this year’s Finals could determine if Alcaraz reclaims world No.1, his remarks are quite understandable."

Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that Alcaraz unexpectedly revealed his relationship status during the press conference. Former pro player Vesnina asked him, "You’ve answered all the questions about the matches. Now, many girls around the world are curious—what about your heart? So, is there someone special now?"

The question momentarily puzzled Alcaraz. Vesnina followed up, "Is your heart free, or is it already taken?"

“I’m single, I’m single. My heart is still free!” Carlos replied with his signature humor, clearly addressing the personal question.

This lighthearted moment quickly went viral online, sparking lots of fan interaction. One user joked, "Alright, now the whole world knows there’s still a chance!" Another fan teased, "Looks like tennis is his only girlfriend right now."

At this year’s ATP Finals, Alcaraz only needs to earn at least 600 points to secure the year-end No.1 ranking. Having taken the first step successfully, he will face Musetti the day after tomorrow. Let’s see how he performs.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)