By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, November 9, 2025
Photo: Rolex Paris Masters Facebook
of Novak Djokovic withdrawing from the ATP Finals at the end of the season disappointed fans.
The absence of the Grand Slam king pleases some rivals.
Number 2 in the world Carlos Alcaraz admitted that he would rather face it Lorenzo Musetti, who replaced Djokovic in the Jimmy Connors Group of round play than seven-time champion Djokovic in Turin.
“Well, obviously having someone like Novak in the group is always difficult,” Alcaraz told media in Turin after his opening 7-6(5), 6-2 win over Alex de Minaur. “The experience he has
in this tournament, the level he has on the indoor court is quite good. I lost to him in 2023 and I played well. He killed me.
“To be honest, I prefer Lorenzo. I won’t lie.”
Yesterday, Djokovic defeated Musetti in a pulsating Athens final to capture his 101st career championship. Djokovic later withdrew from Turin with a shoulder problem sending Musetti to the ATP Finals field.
“If he’s there, he deserves it because of the level he’s put into the games, the innings he’s had this year and the level he’s shown this year,” Alcaraz said of Musetti. “It was really, really
high. Let’s see how he will be, how he will fit. He comes from Athens and did not feel the court at all.
“But I’m sure he’ll do well and let’s see how it goes.”
