Alcaraz and Sinner struggled in the world number 1 race

Both players once received the cup for the person holding the top of the ATP table at the end of the year. Alcaraz is ranked number one in the world at the end of the 2022 season, while Sinner is at the top in 2024.

Alcaraz currently leads Sinner by 1,050 points in the Race to Turin scoreboard. The player who finishes the ATP Finals with more points in the above scoreboard will become world number one at the end of the year. Alcaraz needs to earn more than 450 points in Turin to ensure they finish the year in top position, regardless of how Sinner plays.

Even though he is ranked number one in the world, Sinner is at a disadvantage in the year-end race when he has to defend 1,500 points due to winning the ATP Finals last year, while Alcaraz only has to defend 200 points.

At ATP Finals, each victory in the group stage brings 200 points on the ATP rankings table, winning in the semi-finals is equivalent to 400 points, and winning in the final is an additional 500 points. points.

Thus, Alcaraz can earn more than 450 points by winning all three group stage matches, or not winning the entire group stage but reaching the final.

During the press conference on November 7 in Turin, Alcaraz said about the race: "Ending the year as number one has been my important goal since mid-season. I want to play well, show my best performance and reach the semi-finals. I think If I win a lot of matches, that will go hand in hand with finishing the year at number one.

To have a chance at the top position at the end of the year, Sinner must win the ATP Finals. At that time, the Italian player will definitely achieve his goal if Alcaraz loses all three group stage matches. If Alcaraz wins a group stage match but does not reach the final, Sinner must win at least two group stage matches and then win the championship. If Alcaraz wins two group matches but does not reach the final, Sinner must win with a winning record.

"With Alcaraz's early exit in Paris, there are several scenarios open to me, " Sinner said before the tournament. "I followed the race, but if Alcaraz plays really well, then no matter what result I get, I won't have a chance. ".

ATP Finals 2025 will kick off on Sunday, November 9 in Turin. Alcaraz is in the same group as Novak Djokovic, Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur. The remaining group includes Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton and the last player to win a ticket to the tournament (Lorenzo Musetti or Felix Auger-Aliassime).

The top two players in each group will advance to the semi-finals of the ATP Finals. The final will take place on November 16. The tournament champion will receive $5.07 million if undefeated. Previously, each person received 331,000 USD in participation fees, 396,500 USD for each group stage victory, 1.18 million USD for winning in the semi-finals and 2.37 million USD for winning in the final.