Although he must have been feeling it under the surface, there were no outward signs of nerves for Gonzalo Bueno as he hit balls with Carlos Alcaraz at the Pala Alpitour in Turin.

Their training session took place on Saturday at 11am, just one day before the start of the Nitto ATP Finals, the season’s grand finale. The 19-year-old Peruvian, No. 378 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, is one of the tournament sparring partners. Over the first few days, Bueno has practised with Holger Rune, Jannik Sinner, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Alcaraz himself, in what must have been something of a tennis masterclass.

“Nervous? Yes, of course,” a laughing Bueno tells ATPTour.com, after finishing his training session with the World No. 2, his t-shirt dripping with sweat.

“It’s even more nerve-wracking when you’re playing with someone who has won two Grand Slams. If I had to play with Djokovic it’d be even worse…,” he continues. “You do relax a little and get into the rhythm of it and your adrenaline kicks in. I think it went pretty well.”

Alongside his coach Pato Reynoso, the Peruvian completed a 45-minute session with Alcaraz. During that time, neither player held back, with the Spaniard producing some frightening shots that the Peruvian defended with aplomb, perfectly fulfilling his role in Turin: to help fine-tune the best players in the world.

“It was incredible,” admitted Bueno. “The ball comes back so fast when he ups his forehand, it’s amazing. I couldn’t wait to practise with him because at 14 years of age we played in the same World Finals in Prostejov. Seeing him here is spectacular. Carlos is a very normal guy, like the rest of his team. In fact, I reminded him about the World Finals and we were talking about that. He’s a great guy.”

As well as training with Alcaraz, the Peruvian is making the most of the lessons that may help him tackle future challenges. Playing so many hours of tennis with the elite of the ATP Tour will give him invaluable experience and confidence.

“It’s an unbelievable experience for me,” said Bueno. “I feel like I’m learning a lot here, and that gives me extra motivation to play in the tournaments that I have at the end of the year. There are very few opportunities like this, so I really value it.

“Being here this week with the eight best players in the world, sharing the experience with them, having my own locker room, the restaurant… it’s all new to me and I’m really enjoying it so much.”

Bueno will take encouragement from the fact that some players who have previously fulfilled his role at the Nitto ATP Finals have gone on to play in the event. Rune was a sparring partner in London in 2019 and in 2023 he is debuting at the tournament having claimed the final qualifying spot.

After his week as a practice partner in Turin, Bueno will get back to the final part of his 2023 season, before focusing on 2024, for which he already has one particular goal.

“We still haven’t met with the team, but it would be so exciting if I could play in the Grand Slams,” admitted the Peruvian. “I’m really close, and it would be a dream come true if I could compete in the main draw of a major. For now I want to focus on getting into the qualifiers and then we’ll see what happens.”

Holger Rune and Novak Djokovic played out another three-set epic on Sunday at the Nitto ATP Finals, where the Serbian prevailed to move to 3-2 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series. It is the fourth time in a row the pair’s clashes have gone to deciding sets, with Rune winning at least one set in all five encounters.

Despite his defeat, Rune was proud of how he fought against the World No. 1 again.

“We have had great matches always when we played,” Rune said. “Unfortunately I couldn’t do it today, but that’s how it is. I have to look forward and take the things out of the match I was happy with, take the things out of the match that I wasn’t happy with, and go back to the practise tomorrow and try to make them better.

“I thought it was a higher level match than in Paris, that I’m glad,” added Rune, who lost in three sets to Djokovic at the Masters 1000 event in France earlier this month. “The result was pretty similar. Novak is an amazing player.”

Rune, who is making his debut at the prestigious year-end event, pushed Djokovic hard throughout the three-hour, four-minute clash before ultimately falling short. The 20-year-old is pleased with how he handled the physical element of the match.

“I think physically I felt okay. Of course, I feel it. We played [for] three hours. But I’m sure he also felt it a little bit,” Rune said. “I was ready, if I had the chance, from 5-3 to 5-4 to keep going, but that didn’t happen. I think I tried to manage my energy as good as possible during the match, not use too much unnecessary energy, and stay calm and play the tennis that I like to play.”

Watching on in Rune’s box was coach Boris Becker, who had a successful spell working with Djokovic from 2014-16. The Dane is pleased to be working with the German.

“It’s great. It’s really good. He [Becker] has been there many, many times himself, which helps,” Rune said. “He can give out from his experience, give that to me on how to handle the things on the court, off the court. We are still in the tournament, so let’s continue to fight.”

Rune will face Stefanos Tsitsipas in his second Green Group match before finishing against Jannik Sinner. The 20-year-old is still alive in the event.

Novak Djokovic clinched his record-extending eighth ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by Pepperstone finish on Sunday when he defeated Holger Rune in his opening match at the Nitto ATP Finals.

After a back-and-forth battle for the honour with Carlos Alcaraz throughout the 2023 season, Djokovic has emerged on top. The Serbian also extended his record as oldest year-end No. 1 in Pepperstone ATP Rankings history. Two years ago he was the oldest to finish the season in top spot aged 34, and he has beaten his own mark by repeating the feat aged 36.

Djokovic is now two year-end No. 1 finishes clear of Pete Sampras, who is second on the historic list with six year-end No. 1 campaigns. The Serbian has earned the honour in eight of the past 13 seasons.

MOST ATP YEAR-END NO. 1 PRESENTED BY PEPPERSTONE FINISHES

By clinching year-end No. 1, Djokovic will enjoy his record 400th week atop the Pepperstone ATP Rankings beginning 20 November.

Djokovic has spent 25 weeks in top spot in 2023. World No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings changed seven times this year between the Serbian and Alcaraz.

A winner of six titles so far this season — tied for the most on the ATP Tour with Alcaraz — Djokovic won three of the season’s four majors. He lifted the trophy at the Australian Open, Roland Garros and the US Open.

Now a 24-time major champion, Djokovic captured three Slams in a year for the fourth time in his career (also 2011, 2015 and 2021). He stands alone with the most major titles in the history of men’s tennis.

The 36-year-old triumphed in Cincinnati and Paris to add two more ATP Masters 1000 trophies to his collection. Djokovic has now won a record 40 titles at that elite level.

DJOKOVIC 2023 STATS

Djokovic, who also emerged victorious in Adelaide, owns a 52-5 record following his opening victory in Turin. His 91 per cent win rate in 2023 is nearly eight per cent higher than his career average according to Infosys ATP Stats.

ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said: “Becoming year-end No. 1 is an incredible accomplishment. To achieve it eight times is absolutely extraordinary. Novak continues to set the standard in tennis, and his passion and drive make him a true champion. There’s no doubt that more greatness and records lie ahead in his journey.”

Novak Djokovic dug deep to pass a stiff early test Sunday at the Nitto ATP Finals. In overcoming Holger Rune across three gruelling sets in his opening match at the prestigious season finale, the 36-year-old Serbian made history.

The top-seeded Djokovic’s 7-6(4), 6-7(1), 6-3 victory in Green Group ensured that he will claim the coveted ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by Pepperstone honour for a record-extending eighth time. The six-time Nitto ATP Finals champion Djokovic also guaranteed himself a historic 400th week overall as World No. 1 in the 20 November edition of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.

“It means a lot,” said Djokovic of ensuring he will end the year as World No. 1. “You could see there were a lot of emotions on the court. I could feel it. I was very eager to win tonight’s match, get that monkey off my back. I won Paris, which put me in a much better position rankings-wise, and I knew coming into Turin I only needed to win one match. A big goal is achieved, everything else now is a bonus.”

Another 1🥇 @PepperstoneFX | #ATPRankings | #partner pic.twitter.com/Mc2C0V4Riu

— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 12, 2023

Djokovic’s path to those milestones on Sunday was anything but straightforward. Event debutant Rune delivered an accomplished performance inside the Pala Alpitour featuring plenty of high-quality moments, particularly on return. Yet the 2022 champion Djokovic dug deep in trademark fashion to seal a lung-busting three-hour, four-minute triumph and extend his Nitto ATP Finals winning streak to six matches.

“It took everything,” said Djokovic. “I saw in the first game, when he fired shots from the baseline in the firsdt three or four points, I knew that it was going to be a tough life for me. If I wanted to win this match, I was going to have to work really hard… He was feeling the ball well, he was sharp. Very aggressive, every short ball he was coming in and he served terrific.”

With his 19th consecutive tour-level win, Djokovic joined Jannik Sinner on a 1-0 record in Green Group after the home favourite earlier overcame Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-4.

Rune delivered a powerful signal of his intent on the opening point of Sunday’s match, crushing a stunning backhand return winner past Djokovic. That was the first of 19 winners the Dane struck in a pulsating 72-minute first set, but he was unable to hold his lead after breaking in the fifth game as Djokovic began to move his opponent around the court more effectively.

The Serbian broke Rune back immediately for 3-3 and later dialled down in trademark fashion to clinch a tie-break in which he won four points against the 20-year-old Rune’s serve.

The lung-busting nature of the first set did little to hamper the intensity of either player in the second. Despite the fast-paced conditions of the Pala Alpitour, Djokovic and Rune’s elite defensive skills ensured a series of extended all-court exchanges, ultimately leading to another tie-break as neither player was able to take control.

Djokovic had moved to 29-6 in tie-breaks for the season after the first set, but Rune soon found himself on the brink of levelling the match as a couple of uncharacteristic forehand errors contributed to the Dane opening a 6/0 lead. A pumped-up Rune made no mistake in forcing a deciding set.

Just as he has done so often in his groundbreaking career, Djokovic found a way to immediately halt his opponent’s momentum. Despite showing frustration after letting slip an early break lead in the third set, the Serbian maintained his focus to clinch his fourth break of the match in the sixth game before serving out for a hard-earned victory.

“I thought he played great,” said Djokovic. “I played great at some moments. At some moments I dropped the level, but overall a win is a win. It was a very emotional win and a tough win because of the significance of tonight’s match, obviously knowing that if I won I was going to clinch the year-end No. 1. So that was added pressure and tension, but after a terrible second-set tie-break I think I played a really solid deciding set.”

Tennis legend and art lover John McEnroe recently connected with critically acclaimed artist Honor Titus to discuss the 2023 Nitto ATP Finals Official Poster. The limited-edition poster, created by Titus and customisable by fans, is a new way to celebrate and remember the biggest moments in tennis.

The poster is available only from 12-19 November, during the 2023 Nitto ATP Finals. It combines as a print and digital collectible. Visit www.artchild.com to learn more.

McEnroe and Titus discussed the artist’s work, their shared hobbies and more.

Honor Titus: John, what’s up?

John McEnroe: Hey, how are you?

HT: I’m good. I’m all right. Oh my goodness. It’s good to see you again.

JM: Yeah, you too. This is a surprise because originally, we met through my daughter. And she told me about your show with Gagosian and the next thing I know, I hear that you’re doing a poster with the ATP for the Finals. So I’ve got to hear about how this came about.

HT: The people over [at the ATP and Artchild] contacted my English gallery, Timothy Taylor, and loved the work. I’m a big fan of poster design, John. Italian and French poster design, you know, guys like Jules Cheret. So, I think it made a lot of sense. I’m just really hyped. I’m happy just to be a part of it. Medvedev is my guy, so to get to see him play is really exciting.

JM: Yeah. I’m not exactly sure if the poster itself is modeled after one particular player, sort of like Jerry West in the NBA, you know, the logo… So, curious to hear from you whether you had one particular person in mind. Then there also seems to be a lot of different posters— different colours, I suppose. So you got to let me in on that one.

HT: It was kind of an amalgamation. I took a photo of a friend of mine who I play tennis with to get the backhand stance, you know, to get the angle right. I’ve been thinking about tennis wall paintings for a while. The idea of the tennis wall where one practices—just to play with the perspective, those lines, that idea. So that was based off of a photo. Also, the colours of the ATP Finals are so vibrant and bright, and the lighting of the arena. I remember when we hung out at Gagosian we were talking about the ATP Finals colours because of those blues. You know, I’m a control freak, John. Are you a control freak?

JM: (Laughs) I would call me a semi-control freak.

HT: So the customisation aspect of this endeavour is really something new for me. I think for the fans to engage with the poster and have some conversation and access to the palette is exciting. It’s progressive for me, and everyone involved, so I think it’s really fun.

JM: I know that you were in a punk band. I’m a big music fan. So, then you sort of detoured and appeared. I think a lot of people would like to know, myself included, how you made this detour into becoming an artist and in particular, eventually doing a lot of your work based on tennis players or tennis motifs.

HT: Totally. While listening to underground punk and New York downtown cool guys, I was still watching tennis. I was still hearing you. I was always following the sport. I think tennis has a very nuanced and elaborate culture. It’s always been in my purview. I will also say that, you know, I’ve always played it. I follow it. I love sport. It excites me just like music does.

JM: Do you still sing?

HT: I don’t, I don’t. But I still yell.

JM: So do I. They keep paying me for it.

HT: (Laughs) When I was attempting to get paid for it, I still wasn’t getting paid for it.

JM: But here’s the part that I find probably the most interesting of this whole scenario. I’ve obviously been around tennis my whole life, and I have a tennis academy. I look at it like there’s not enough people that can afford to do it, you know. In a way, it’s going to the one per cent. And here you are having success in an art world, which I would almost consider one of the few things that’s even less accessible or affordable to collect, (and) for the point one per cent. So you have to tell the listeners and myself how you look at that from your own point of view. It’s a very interesting thing to me. Because both of these things are pretty inaccessible. And I think both of us, I believe, want to make it more accessible. Can you tell me a little bit about what you’re thinking?

HT: That’s a very astute and apt question. I think that I’ve been very fortunate in my life. Not only am I a control freak, but I’m also obsessive. So I think an undertone to the question you’re asking, John, is the question of access. Some of my friends in high school introduced me to tennis, introduced me to rock and roll and other things. I hope that through my work and through my efforts, I introduce people to various things. I’ve been lucky enough to just chase my passions. I love to learn, I love to ruminate on things that I love, I love to obsess about things. I obsess about tennis, I obsess about French literature, and I obsess about numerous things. All I do is revel in my obsession. So, if I can introduce someone to something they’re obsessed with, that’s what I hope to do.

JM: I’ve had a lot of art thrown my way over the years. And a lot of it is not very good.

HT: (Laughs)

JM: And in particular, I would point to art that has tennis in it. And it’s enlightening for me to see where you’re painting something in an interesting way that makes me want to look at it more carefully. But there’s some nuanced political stuff in it as well, which I think is important. For me, that charges me up as a collector, as a lover of art—not only in your work, but in general. The way you did that, in particular with your work relating to tennis, I think people would be interested in knowing how that came about and what you’ve tried to do picking out a couple of the works that were in the show. I didn’t see anything political, but help enlighten us on that.

HT: Well, I try not to be so heavy handed. I like to slide in ideas, you know, under the radar and in subtle ways. I think the idea in our official poster is a black figure, practising tennis alone. I can make a narrative out of just the idea of solace and commitment, practising alone in an urban setting, possibly. I like for the viewer to look at these things and create their own narrative, to create their own ideas. But in terms of the political undertones of the work as to your question earlier, John, the idea of access is such a profound idea, especially in the sport of tennis. And what I like to do is create and conjure images that that converse with those ideas, with that idea of access. I’ve created black figures in all white. The moneyed class were the ones that were able to wear white. That’s why these things still appear in our culture. I don’t mean to harp or take the pulpit in any way, but I do like to play with those ideas. That’s all I’m doing, is introducing ideas and conversing with those ideas.

JM: Well, you’re talking about access. You grew up in Brooklyn, right?

HT: Yes, deep Brooklyn.

JM: It sounds to me like you did have some access to the tennis courts in play. Is that true?

HT: That is true. With that said—urban elements…there’s tennis courts around. I also grew up across from a big sports complex. I’ve been really fortunate. I wouldn’t say that I came from the most privileged background, but I will say through friendship and existence I’ve just been exposed to various things and I’d like to reiterate that’s what I hope to do with my work. I want to be that friend, and introduce, and expose, and converse. I think that’s why it’s gathered fire so quickly, John.

JM: How did you choose [the figures] in your paintings? I’ve seen, I believe, Venus Williams among others. How did you go about choosing which players to highlight and secondly, because of your success with this show at Gagosian, and some previous tennis works, have you continued along that motif? I’m assuming you like being the tennis guy, but you don’t want to be just the guy that does tennis.

HT: Yeah, you’re completely correct, John. Well, I’ll say that, you know, I painted predominantly tennis, if not all tennis this year, and I’m kind of viewing it like Picasso’s blue period.

JM: It’s quite a period.

HT: Four years from now, it’d be Honor Titus 2023: The Tennis Year. That’s how I’m envisioning it now. But I do have a lot of ideas, I’ve painted debutantes, I’ve painted a myriad of other things. I have a lot of interests. I become obsessive.

JM: What players and why did you choose those players in your paintings that you’ve already done?

HT: Well, sometimes I just liked the way someone looks.

JM: Well, why the hell didn’t you paint me yet?

HT: We’re working on it, John. Oh, you know I would love that. I want you to go back into the photo albums. I want you at Stanford in your college hoodie or something like that.

JM: Yeah. Yeah… We’ll see what I have. Yeah.

HT: We’ll talk about it.

JM: I’m wondering, now that I think about it—you’re going over to Italy and you’ll be there for part or all of the event. And is that, sort of—I don’t want to say the end of it—but you’re seeing the stop sign from your [tennis] stuff…(besides the painting of me, of course.)? You said you’ve been doing tennis paintings all year. It’s sort of like in tennis, you play tournaments all year and you go to the ATP Finals, if you’re lucky enough to be one of the final eight guys. And after that, it starts all over again. The meat grinder starts and the points start fresh, and I wonder if you’re thinking in your career the same way.

HT: That’s really smart. I think that’s really apt. Yeah, I think the tennis paintings are kind of coming to a close—besides yours. But maybe I’ll drop the note here that in my next exhibition, I have a few ideas and it’s concerning famous playboys. So I think that you could still be considered for the next one.

JM: (Laughs) Yeah, right. I wish. Thank you for the honour.

HT: John, I wanted to ask you, as an academy owner and a tennis aficionado, is the tennis wall a good idea? Is it good to practice on the wall? What do you think?

JM: Just for the record, I started on a tennis wall. It’s a great idea. If anyone’s ever hit against the wall they’ll notice one thing: it never misses. The ball always comes back. So it’s a good way to start off anyone. And it’s a hell of a lot cheaper than having to, you know, get on a court and and pay for the things that most people can’t afford to pay for. So I actually have been pushing for a long time at my academy to have that available. And we don’t have a tennis wall. We have a lot of courts and we’re in a good spot location-wise. That’s something that I think is a very good thing to have if possible. Yeah, so you can keep painting tennis walls.

HT: I wanted to ask you another thing. If there’s anything that I can help with over the academy or in general, please let me know.

JM: Yes, absolutely. As a matter of fact, we do these fundraisers each year [for the Johnny Mac Tennis Project] and maybe we could do some type of poster of some kind. Would be totally awesome. You know, I’ve always been a huge art fan, sports fan. Obviously tennis has been a huge part of my life. So to see someone like yourself succeed doing something that’s near and dear to my heart has been great. Final thoughts for the ATP Finals, the sport of tennis, your career and the art that you came up with?

HT: Yeah, I think we’re just gonna keep rockin’, John.

JM: I hear you, man. Rock and roll, baby.

HT: Yeah, exactly. I think we just keep rocking. I’m so grateful for your time. I’m hyped on our conversation. I think we’ve done well.

JM: I think we did great and I think that we should hopefully catch up soon and we can further that conversation about this masterpiece— the McEnroe masterpiece.

HT: I need you to go back into your photo album. I want you to send me some college photos. I would love that.

JM: Absolutely. You got it. Good talking to you and look forward to seeing you soon and congrats on the poster. I’m excited that you’re going to go to Turin. Please say hello to the boys for me.

HT: I will do. Bye, John.

JM: You take care.

Carlos Alcaraz will make his debut at the Nitto ATP Finals on Monday in Turin, where he will face two-time champion Alexander Zvevev in his opening Red Group match in the afternoon session. In the evening, long-time friends and rivals Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev face off.

[2] Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) vs. [7] Alexander Zverev (GER)

After missing last year’s event due to injury, Alcaraz will make his debut at the Nitto ATP Finals on Monday. The 20-year-old Spaniard has enjoyed a standout year, highlighted by his Wimbledon title. Alcaraz has not won a trophy in the six events he has played since Wimbledon but is hoping to re-find his best level at the Pala Alpitour this week as he chases his seventh trophy of the year.

“I’m expecting the Carlos from early this year, despite the results I’ve had in recent tournaments. The defeat in Paris, which was quite painful, made me realise that I have to work harder,” he said of the match he lost in the recent ATP Masters 1000 against Roman Safiullin. “And that’s what I’ve done. You always have to look for the positive in things. I’ve had several days to train to come here in optimum form. I’ve worked hard, on both fitness and tennis. I feel really good.”

Alcaraz’s clash with Zverev will be the pair’s third of the year, with the Spaniard triumphing in straight sets in Madrid and at the US Open. Alcaraz threw in a number of serve/volley plays in New York and was an impressive 28 of 35 overall in net approaches. He may look to do the same in Turin.

Zverev has beaten the World No. 2 on three occasions and will try to use his powerful serve to trouble Alcaraz on the fast indoor courts. The German, who is a two-time champion at the event (2018, 21), missed the chance to qualify for last year’s tournament due to an ankle injury he suffered in the middle of his Roland Garros semi-final against Rafael Nadal.

Zverev has bounced back in 2023 by winning two trophies and is currently No. 7 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. Locked at 3-3 with Alcaraz in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, Zverev knows how to defeat the 20-year-old.

“[You have] to be at your best,” Zverev said. “The times that I have beaten him, I was playing my absolute best tennis. If you are not quite there, if you are a little slow-ish, if you are not hitting the ball as well as you can, you don’t have any chance.”

[3] Daniil Medvedev vs. [5] Andrey Rublev

In the evening, Medvedev takes a 6-2 Lexus ATP Head2Head record into his Red-Group clash against Rublev. The World No. 3, who has defeated Rublev twice this season (Dubai, US Open), has performed impressively at the Nitto ATP Finals in the past. He won the title in 2020 and reached the title match in 2021.

However, 12 months ago the 27-year-old failed to win a match in Turin, losing all three matches in third-set tie-breaks. He hopes to fare better this week, starting against Rublev.

“It’s very tough,” Medvedev said of the challenges the tournament presents. “From the first match you play against a Top 10 player, which never happens on Tour, other than here. You have to play your best from the first match if you want to try to win the whole thing.

“I think he improved a lot this year,” Medvedev added when discussing Rublev. “He won a Masters 1000. The match I played against him at the US Open and the match I saw against Novak at Wimbledon, I think he improves step by step even more. Every match against him is tougher and tougher. I am going to have to fight my best, run a lot, and try to get him.”

Medvedev has won a career-best 64 matches this year, lifting five titles, including Masters 1000 crowns in Miami and Rome. Rublev is a two-time champion on Tour in 2023, highlighted by his maiden Masters 1000 crown in Monte-Carlo. The World No. 5 reached the semi-finals at the year-end event in 2022 but is cautiously managing expectations this year.

“It was a great moment to be in the semi-finals at one of the best tournaments of tennis,” Rublev reflected almost a year later. “To be part of it was special. I remember when I won, the emotions were crazy.

“It’s not going to happen often. Of course I will do everything to be able to feel this emotion again. But we’ll see. There are all the best players. Everyone wants to win and everyone is playing unreal.”

Defending Champs Ram/Salisbury Start Campaign

Defending champions Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury begin their campaign against Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden in Red Group. The American-British pair has won three trophies in 2023, including the US Open, Ram and Sailsbury’s third in a row.

In the afternoon session, Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski play Australian Open winners Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler. Koolhof and Skupski advanced to the semi-finals on debut together in Turin in 2022.

Don’t expect Stefanos Tsitsipas to retreat into his shell after beginning his 2023 Turin campaign with a straight-sets loss to Jannik Sinner.

As the Greek notes, a key benefit of the tournament’s round-robin format is that it allows players to stay alive even in defeat. Case in point is 2019, when Tsitsipas dropped a round-robin match to Rafael Nadal but went on to claim the title.

“That’s the beauty of Nitto ATP Finals; it’s not over until it’s really over,” the World No. 6 said. “You can always re-bounce and you can always come back. It’s a good format. It allows for great competition and for some good comebacks that we don’t really see in the sport because our tour is based on knockout rounds, a single opportunity in every tournament.”

With his chances still alive of capturing a second Nitto ATP Finals title, Tsitsipas says that he will play freely and aggressively.

“I enjoy playing in fast surfaces much more now than I did years ago,” he said. “I think my tennis suits fast surfaces way more than it did slower. My shots are big. I can hit big shots.

“I see this tournament for me also as an opportunity for me to grow my game through maybe bigger risks. Why not? It’s a great tournament and I really want to do well here.”

Tsitsipas paid tribute to Sinner’s impressive serving after the Italian dropped just 10 points en route to a 6-4, 6-4 win. “He definitely has improved his serve, and he showed it today on the court,” he said.

“There wasn’t much I could do. I was trying to guess sometimes. He serves really close to the lines, to the corners.

“I’m not the Elastic Girl from the superheroes to be behind these balls. I tried my best, and he played a very good quality match from his side.”