The ATP Finals return to Turin, Italy as the season-ending tournament is set to kick off on Sunday, November 10. This will be the fourth Italian edition of the event, and with the draw officially set, here are some of the top storylines to keep an eye on as the group stage kicks off. 

The New Era Takes Center Stage

Novak Djokovic, the winningest player in ATP Finals history, announced his withdrawal from the 2024 tournament due to an injury. This means that for the first time since 2001, the ATP Finals will not feature Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, or Roger Federer. 

The 2024 edition will pave the way for the next generation of tennis stardom to dazzle fans at the season’s end. Leading the way will be No. 1 seed Jannik Sinner along with two-time defending BNP Paribas Open Champion Carlos Alcaraz. The pair of stars have claimed all four Grand Slams in 2024 between them, and each one will be looking to add a first career ATP Finals title to their phenomenal young careers. Sinner and Alcaraz enter the tournament in opposite groups and could meet in the semifinals or final depending on how things shake out in the group stage.

Some of their toughest tests could come from Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev, two former ATP Finals winners who stand as the two oldest players in the field. Zverev, currently ranked No. 2, will face Alcaraz in the group phase, adding a new chapter to the rivalry that has seen their 10 meetings evenly split at five apiece. Meanwhile, Medvedev and Sinner will face off in a similar situation, the winner between them set to break a 7-7 gridlock in their career head to head matchups.

Sinner Seeks A Dominant End To 2024 

Sinner has already clinched the year-end ATP No. 1 position, becoming the first Italian to achieve this feat. Now, he will look to claim one last title as the curtains close on 2024 in his home country. The defending US and Australian Open champion reached the final at last year’s ATP Finals, falling short to Djokovic as the Serbian legend secured a record-breaking seventh ATP Finals title.

Sinner will be confident heading into the group stage, with a strong historical record against his competitors. This includes a flawless 7-0 record against ATP Finals debutant Alex de Minaur, a recent victory over Taylor Fritz in the US Open Final, and winning seven of his last eight against Medvedev.

Fritz’s Final Chance For A Big Victory

Top-ranked American Fritz enters the ATP Finals with the prospect of his performance vaulting him back into the ATP Top 5 for the first time since March 2023. The 2022 BNP Paribas Open Champion recorded his best finish at the season-ending tournament in 2022, when he advanced from his group as the 8th seed, losing to eventual champion Djokovic in the semifinal. 

Fritz came up just short of his first Grand Slam title this past September, losing to Sinner in the 2024 US Open Final after a dream run for the American on home soil in New York. Fritz will surely be carrying the confidence from his New York run into Turin, but he’ll have a tall order ahead of him. With Sinner, Medvedev, and de Minaur in his group, the American will need to put on a strong showing to return to the semifinals.