Tim Henman picks an ATP Finals winner between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
The ATP Finals are underway in Turin and the verdicts are in on the latest potential showdown between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Novak Djokovic has dominated this event in recent years, with his victory in last year’s final against Jannik Sinner giving him a record-extending seventh title in the end-of-season showpiece event.
With Djokovic opting against playing in Turin due to injury and his desire to focus on Grand Slam tournaments in the final phase of his career, the door is open for a new era to begin in an event that serves up some of the biggest prize money in the ATP Tour year.
The winner of this tournament could collect a whopping $4,881,500 if he wins his three group matches and goes on to lift the title, with the prize of ATP Finals champion just as enticing for the eight players who have earned the right to be in Turin after stellar seasons.
Sky Sports Tennis will bring the event to audiences in Ireland and the UK and their pundits have given their verdict on the likely winners and the players who could cause a few surprises.
Former British No 1 Tim Henman will be in Turin for the broadcaster and he is backing the two best players in the men’s game to compete for the title in the final.
“Sinner will beat Alcaraz in the final,” said Henman. “It will be a fitting end to the season with the best two players going head to head.
“Zverev and Medvedev will come second in their respective groups but I don’t think there will be any major upsets. I think this event will follow form.”
Former British No 1 Laura Robson offered a slightly different view to Henman, as she backed world No 2 Alexander Zverev to reach the final after he warmed up for the Turin event by winning last week’s Paris Masters.
“Sinner will beat Zverev in the final due to his form and he played well in Paris,” stated Robson, as she also picked her surprise package by backing Alex de Minaur to shine in his first appearance at the ATP Finals.
Henman spoke to Tennis365 about the rivalry Sinner and Alcaraz have struck up over the last year, as they have stepped into the void that was left by the exit of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, with Novak Djokovic also in the final phase of his career.
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With Sinner and Alcaraz sharing the four Grand Slam titles in 2024, Henman suggests they will both reach a big total of major titles before they hang up their rackets.
“I think they will both go past 10, which is an incredible achievement.
“When I was playing and Pete Sampras won his 14th Grand Slam, I would have bet my bottom dollar no one is going past 14 Grand Slams, and then we’ve had Federer, Nadal, Djokovic go flying past it,” Henman told Tennis365.
“In the context of the game, McEnroe won seven, Connors won eight, Becker won six and now we’re flippantly saying they are going to win double-digits.
“Sinner and Alcaraz, they are phenomenal, they are going to win many Grand Slams. For me, it’s going to be who is also going to be part of the conversation.
“We’re looking at could it be Ben Shelton, Tiafoe or Fritz from the Americans? Is it going to be Holger Rune? Is it going to be Jack Draper? I think that’s going to be fascinating to see.
“You’re never going to just have two. Alexander Zverev is a little bit older, I’m thinking more of the younger generation.
“Who can come through and win these Grand Slam titles and challenge Alcaraz and Sinner?”
