Greg Rusedski has shared two worries about Carlos Alcaraz heading into the ATP Finals.
Alcaraz has already arrived at the ATP Finals, where he is looking to bounce back from his early exit at the Paris Masters.
The Spaniard has been drawn in a group with Novak Djokovic, Taylor Fritz, and Alex de Minaur as he looks to end his season on a high.
Many are expecting Alcaraz to yet again meet Jannik Sinner in the final of the tournament, but Rusedski believes the world number two’s fitness issues could stand in his way.
Greg Rusedski is worried about Carlos Alcaraz’s fitness issues
Speaking on the Inside-In Tennis podcast, the British star suggested the Italian crowd could be a factor at the ATP Finals.
“The crowd was outrageously behind Sinner [last year], wanting the Italian to come through. So yeah, if we get that final, it would be magical.
“The atmosphere would be phenomenal, and you know how Italians are. They’re passionate, and they only see one horse, and it’s always the Italian. They respect the other player, but it would be loud.”
Rusedski also claimed that Alcaraz’s fitness woes could also be an issue following his ankle injury in Tokyo and early exit in Paris.
Alcaraz went over on his ankle in his first round match at the Japan Open, but fought through to win the tournament.
The star has still been managing his sprain, and Rusedski has shared concern about Alcaraz competing against the best players in the world.
“But the question mark, will Alcaraz get there? Is he healthy enough? Sinner, yes, Alcaraz is the question mark going in.
“Not a lot of times, Alcaraz has not been cheered relentlessly. So maybe a little different setting for him playing a little bit of a road game for a global superstar, but we shall see.
“Also, you have to look when he plays in terrain, he struggles with the drop shot and sometimes the transition. Everything seems a little bit too quick and a little bit too low for him at times.
“And, the question is, I hope he’s 100% healthy and everything’s healed up since Tokyo, because if he is, we could get the dream final.”
Alcaraz has confirmed that he will still wear ankle support at the ATP Finals as he looks for the first year-end title of his career.
Carlos Alcaraz’s losses at the ATP Finals
Alcaraz has played two ATP Finals in his career, as well as withdrawing from the 2022 event as the world number one.
The Spaniard has a surprisingly poor record at the year-end tournament, having only won twice in two visits.
The star has lost four times at the tournament, including twice at the 2024 event where he failed to qualify from his group.
| Player to beat Carlos Alcaraz at the ATP Finals | Year | Scoreline |
| Alexander Zverev | 2024 | 6–7, 4–6 |
| Casper Ruud | 2024 | 1–6, 5–7 |
| Alexander Zverev | 2023 | 7–6, 3–6, 4–6 |
| Novak Djokovic | 2023 | 3-6, 2-6 |
The only players Alcaraz has beaten at the ATP Finals are Daniil Medvedev in 2023 and Andrey Rublev in both years.
The Spaniard will be desperately hoping to turn his form around at the year-end tournament as he needs at least three wins to confirm his world number one status heading into 2026.
