Carlos Alcaraz delivers ATP Finals injury update as he picks a high-profile rival for practice session
Carlos Alcaraz has served up a positive update on his fitness ahead of the ATP Finals, even though his right knee was still strapped during his latest practice session.
The Australian Open champion has had a hectic few weeks of action, with his title win at the Vienna Open backed up by a big win at the Paris Masters.
Now Alcaraz is targeting his first ATP Finals title and he has arrived in Turin with some concerns over the condition of his right knee.
Alcaraz’s knee was strapped and taped during first practice session on Wednesday, but he appeared to have full range of movement.
Now he has returned to the court for a second day as he staged a competitive practice session with world No 1 Alexander Zverev, which included some competitive points at the end of the session.
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The tape was not on his knee for the session with Zverev, but there was some white tape present as he went through his paces.
A small set of spectators were fortunate to watch the two top seeds at the ATP Finals do battle, in what could be a prelude to the final of the competition that gets underway this Sunday.
Alcaraz appeared to be walking and moving with freedom and showed no signs of pain as he exchanged blows with Zverev, with the duo confirming they are on friendly terms as they exchanged a warm embrace at the beginning and end of their hitting session.
With his big rival Jannik Sinner out injured, Alcaraz will be eager to win his first ATP Finals title and he was in an upbeat mood as he looked ahead to the battle in Turin following his Paris Masters win last weekend.
“Well, obviously the ATP Finals is, you know, the best eight players in the world,” said Alcaraz after his win against Shelton in the French capital.
“It is a really important tournament for everybody. That’s what we are working for and making a really good position to start the year the best that we can, and playing during the whole year the best that we can to qualify to that tournament.
“So that means, you know, we just put extra motivation, extra energy to come into that tournament. As I said openly, this is a tournament that I really want to win one day.
“I don’t know if it’s gonna be this year, next year, if I ever gonna be able to win this tournament, but I’m gonna work hard.
“I’m going to believe that I can do that, and, you know, I’m going to go this year with a lot of confidence. I’m going to go for it, for sure.”
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Alcaraz will open his ATP Finals campaign with a match against America’s Frances Tiafoe on Monday.
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