The 2024 ATP Finals, the season-ending tournament for the top eight singles players and doubles teams, is set to take place from November 10-17. With four spots remaining, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, and Daniil Medvedev have already secured their berths.
Novak Djokovic, the defending champion, faces an uncertain path to qualification after withdrawing from the Paris Masters. Currently ranked sixth in the race to Turin, Djokovic’s chances hinge on his performance in the remaining tournaments.
Roger Federer’s former coach, Ivan Ljubicic, has weighed in on the potential contenders for the ATP Finals. In an interview with Sky Sports, Ljubicic identified Sinner as the “big favorite” due to his impressive form and Alcaraz’s struggles indoors.
“Sinner is the big favorite at the ATP Finals in Turin,” Ljubicic said. “Alcaraz still has to convince me indoors. His level is very high outdoors, but when he plays indoors he suffers. In Turin, he suffered a lot last year, especially from a mental point of view.”
Ljubicic also acknowledged Zverev as a potential challenger to Sinner but emphasized the Italian’s dominance. “If we want to look for someone who is closer to Jannik, I would say Alexander Zverev,” he said. “But Jannik, without a doubt, is the big favorite.”
Regarding Djokovic’s chances, Ljubicic expressed uncertainty. “What do I expect from Djokovic? I don’t know, and I don’t think he knows either at the moment,” he said. “He’s aiming to win important tournaments and not to climb the rankings. To climb the rankings, you have to play more, but he’s not physically and mentally ready for this now.”
Despite Djokovic’s recent struggles, Ljubicic believes he remains a formidable force. “In Shanghai, however, he showed us that when he decides to play, he’s the one who can worry the best,” he said. “I doubt he’ll play the Finals, but next year he’ll try again.”
With the ATP Finals approaching, the battle for the remaining spots and the ultimate title promises to be intense. Sinner emerges as the frontrunner, but Zverev, Alcaraz, and Medvedev will be eager to challenge his dominance.
