‘Carlos Alcaraz 2023 season will be perfect 10/10 if he wins ATP Finals’, claims former No 2

Ewan West
Carlos Alcaraz 2023 ATP Finals event
Carlos Alcaraz at an event in Turin before 2023 ATP Finals

Two-time Major runner-up Alex Corretja would give Carlos Alcaraz’s 2023 season a “perfect” 10/10 rating if he concludes it by winning the 2023 ATP Finals. 

The former world No 2 feels Alcaraz “broke down every barrier he faced” this year and backed his Spanish compatriot to have an “incredible” season in 2024.

Alcaraz has won six titles during an excellent 2023 season, although he has endured a more difficult period following his stunning Wimbledon victory – which was the last tournament he won. He holds a stellar 63-10 (86.3%) record this year.

Since overcoming Novak Djokovic in an epic five-set final at the All England Club in July, he has reached one final in his next six events and suffered a straight-set defeat to Roman Safiullin in his opening match at the Paris Masters.

The world No 2 is making his debut at the ATP Finals in Turin, having been forced to withdraw from the 2022 edition through injury after qualifying.

The Spaniard will play world No 8 Alexander Zverev in his first match at the indoor hard-court showpiece on Monday afternoon, with Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev also in the Red Group.

READ MORE: Carlos Alcaraz labelled ‘by far the most explosive guy on tour’ ahead of ATP Finals debut

Speaking to Eurosport, Corretja praised the superb season the 20-year-old star is having and feels it deserves a high rating irrespective of his performance in Turin.

“His season has been incredible and he has adapted very well because he has played well on many surfaces, which is not easy at this age,” said the 1998 ATP Finals champion.

“Especially if you are a Spanish player, because your mentality is a little bit: ‘Ok, I’m going to grow on clay. I’m going to see how I develop my game on that surface and then I’ll adapt to be good on hard.’ He won his first Major on hard court and then his biggest on grass, Wimbledon.

“He broke everything. He broke down every barrier he faced. And I think he’s mentally prepared. 2024 is going to be an incredible year for Alcaraz, without a doubt, and we’ll see, because maybe the ATP Finals can give him this extra feeling again of doing something even bigger at 20 years old.

“If that’s not the case, his season will still be huge and great. If he ends up winning in Turin, of course it would be a 10, a perfect season. If not, he could have a 9.5 out of 10 or a 9.75 at least, I would say.”

Corretja, a finalist at the French Open in 1998 and 2001, also previewed Alcaraz’s clash with Zverev and expects the German to provide a stern test.

“Well, I think it might be difficult for him to play Zverev first. I think Sasha indoors could probably be the surface that best suits his game because there is no wind to bother him on his serve, there is no sun on his face. The ball bounces exactly where he wants to hit his backhand,” explained the Spaniard.

“On his right perhaps it doesn’t cost him so much because he doesn’t move away from his body. It’s difficult to get him out of his position. Maybe he doesn’t regress as much when he plays indoors, which happens a little bit on clay or hard courts.

“So I think that match is going to be a great battle. I mean, I wouldn’t be surprised if they went 7-5 or 7-6 in the third of that match because that would be pretty much what I expect: a great battle. And, from there, whoever wins that match will grow a lot for the tournament.”

READ MORE: Novak Djokovic reveals where he ranks 2023 among his best ever seasons

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