Carlos Alcaraz was quick to shut down the notion that the Turin crowd had any negative impact on his performance, and even noted that Jannik Sinner deserved to have a strong backing from the home side.
While Alcaraz is a fan favorite wherever he goes, he didn't have the crowd on his side during his maiden ATP Finals match. And there wasn't anything surprising in that, considering that he was playing against local star Sinner. Throughout the match, the spectators in Turin heavily supported the Italian tennis star.
In the end, the locals had all the reasons to celebrate after Sinner completed a 7-6 (4) 7-5 win over Alcaraz to repeat as champion at the ATP Finals.
Alcaraz asked if the Turin crowd was 'the most hostile' he faced
"First of all, they didn't affect me at all. There were sometimes that I really even like it, feeling this energy, even though I'm not going to say 'against me'. It wasn't against me, it was more cheering for him. I like to feel this kind of energy, this environment, even though if it wasn't cheering for me. I think he deserved that energy from the crowd," the Spaniard noted.
"I would say, I haven't talked too much about it, but the most difficult match that I have ever played in my career with the crowd was in Paris Bercy 2021. I will not forget it in my whole life... I grew up a lot from that match. But that match was the most difficult match that I have ever played with the crowd (smiling)."
By losing to Sinner, Alcaraz fell just short of becoming an ATP Finals champion and landing another notable title to his already impressive resume.
In Turin, Alcaraz underlined that he has big plans for the start of 2026 as the world No. 1 will be determined to win his first Australian Open title and complete a Career Grand Slam.
