At the start of this year’s Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, the world’s two top players battled it out to end the year as world No. 1. Carlos Alcaraz was in the lead at the time, but Yannik Sinner could overtake him if he faltered, but on Thursday, by completing his Round Robin group unbeaten, the Spaniard made himself elusive.
It is with your whole team, with your family, with your closest people behind you who always support you in the difficult and good moments, that I am really proud of: having such a great team Carlos Alcaraz
The pair ‘joked’ about their battle at the start of the week when they were photographed lifting the trophy, but it is now safely in Alcaraz’s grasp following its presentation during the Friday session at the Inalpi Stadium ahead of Sinner’s final group match against Ben Shelton.
(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
It is the second time that the 22-year-old from Murcia has lifted the enormous trophy; his first was in the 202 and it undoubtedly won’t be the last.
“It’s my pleasure [being] the number 1,” said Alcaraz. “Being the number 1 in the world is something that my team and I work very hard for every day. It’s a goal. But I think it’s a journey you don’t go through alone. It is with your whole team, with your family, with your closest people behind you who always support you in the difficult and good moments, that I am really proud of: having such a great team.”
And he was keen to emphasize that the starting team has not changed since he last won the cup.
Carlos Alcaraz and his team pose with the 2025 ATP World No.1 Trophy at the end of the year
(Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
“I am still very proud of the team I have now,” Alcaraz continued. “A number of new members in the team that I am very happy with and proud to share this moment with them as well. For me it is a great achievement. It means a lot to me and I am just very proud and happy.”
He was also very complimentary about his fans around the world and the support he has received.
“I want to continue because I can’t thank the people enough for the support I get everywhere I go,” Alcaraz added. “We travel from January 1st to the end of November – new places, new countries, new stages and the people are always the same. The great energy, the great atmosphere, I feel the love everywhere I go.
“In some tournaments, in some matches, without the support of the people it would not be possible to come back, to win, to lift trophies. So I would really like to thank all the people who come to every tournament, to every match, who support tennis and support myself. I am very grateful to everyone for the energy and the love that I receive. This trophy is clearly for them.”
The presentation was given by ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi and Head of Corporate Brand and Strategic Advisory at PIF, Mohamed Alsayyad.
Alcaraz is now waiting for news on who he will meet in his semi-final on Saturday: Alexander Zverev or Felix Auger Aliassime who will meet in the evening session in Bjorn Borg’s last group match.
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