Tim Henman gives immediate reaction to the ATP Finals group stage draw and has 'good news' for the tournament

Tim Henman gives immediate reaction to the ATP Finals group stage draw and has ‘good news’ for the tournament

Posted by Admin November 7, 2024 Tennis

Tim Henman shared a positive take on the draw for the ATP Finals.

The season-ending championships in men’s tennis will emanate from Turin for the fourth time and commences on Sunday.

The event will go ahead without its defending champion, with Novak Djokovic, who has withdrawn due to injury.

With the start just days away, the two groups for the 2024 ATP Finals have now been set.

What does Tim Henman think about the 2024 ATP Finals draw?

In the Ilie Nastase group, World number one Jannik Sinner is joined by Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur.

The John Newcombe group includes Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud.

In response to the draw, Tim Henman is happy that Alcaraz and Sinner, the two most successful players this season, have been placed in different groups, meaning they cannot face one another until either the semi-finals or the final.

“I think they are pretty well balanced,” the former British number one said on Sky. “The big question mark was where Alcaraz was going to end up and I think it’s good for the event that he’s in a separate group from Sinner.

“They could still play each other in the semis or finals but that’s what we have got to look forward to.”

Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images

Former ATP player rates Carlos Alcaraz’s chances at the ATP Finals

One of the favourites for the ATP Finals title is Alcaraz, following another excellent season. The Spaniard claimed four titles in 2024, two of which were Grand Slams, and he came agonisngly close to becoming Olympic champion in August.

His results have been more inconsistent since that defeat to Djokovic at the Paris Games, and is entering the ATP Finals with a round of 16 exit at the Paris Masters.

But former player Alex Corretja, is feeling optimistic about the four-time Grand Slam champion’s chances of success in Turin.

“Alcaraz is going to arrive in Turin at a great time,” Corretja told Eurosport. “Why? Because he has recently won some tournaments on a hard court, especially beating Sinner in the final, which always gives you a dose of confidence.

“Although in Paris-Bercy he did not play his best tennis, the court was a little faster than he likes it. In the ATP Finals it is true that everything is very open, that the groups are very difficult and that everyone arrives very mentally saturated, somewhat physically affected.

“But I believe that Carlos has learned from the past and is going to arrive a little fresher than last season.”