ATP finals: Djokovic also favorite in Turin

The favorite is once again world number one Novak Djokovic, but defending champion Daniil Medvedev and Co. want to make life difficult for the Serbs. Three stars are convalescent and are therefore absent from the Turin premiere: Rafael Nadal, who has never won the “Masters” in his career, record winner Roger Federer (six titles) and Dominic Thiem.

The Lower Austrian has been a fixed starter at the ATP Finals in the past five years and scratched the title in 2019 and 2020 with wafer-thin defeats in the final against Stefanos Tsitsipas and Medvedev. This year Thiem, who is already preparing for his comeback in 2022 after surviving a wrist injury, can only watch from a distance.

Medvedev is the beginning

The draw for the event, which was again financially valued at 7.25 million dollars, was awarded to Djokovic for the Greeks Tsitsipas, Andrej Rublew (RUS) and debutant Casper Ruud (NOR). The 34-year-old Serb opened his games in the “red” group on Monday against Ruud.

In the “green” group, co-favorite Medvedev starts on Sunday against the second debutant in the eighth field, Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz. In the evening, Olympic champion and Vienna champion Alexander Zverev, who like Thiem now has five “Masters” appearances, is in action against local hero Matteo Berrettini.

“I feel good and am looking forward to the tournament. And of course I hope that I can bring home the trophy for the second time, ”said Zverev. When the Hamburger triumphed at the ATP Finals in 2018, it was still a big surprise. This time Zverev is one of the favorites.

Djokovic could catch up with Federer

Djokovic’s hunger for success, who last secured number one for the seventh time at the end of the year (record), is unsatisfied. With his sixth title, he could draw level with Federer in terms of Masters victories and cement his position at the top. But the “Djoker” has only played in Paris-Bercy since Flushing Meadows. He’ll come to Turin a little fresher than usual.

“In terms of the number of tournaments, I didn’t play as much as in previous years, but I had many exhausting phases in Grand Slams, especially emotionally and mentally,” said Djokovic after his arrival on Friday. “You can’t show your best here with a half-empty tank. You need full intensity in every single match, ”said the 20-time major winner.

In any case, Djokovic also wants to do well for the Davis Cup in Innsbruck, where he and his team will initially meet Austria and Germany. However, he does not have a long break when he takes part in the finals, although the route from Turin to the Tyrolean capital is manageable with just under 375 kilometers. Austria will meet the Serbs on November 26th, five days after the final in Turin.

ATP-Finals in Turin

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