Top seed Carlos Alcaraz and Italian star Lorenzo Musetti began their preparations for Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan on Sunday.
Alcaraz and Musetti are both making their debuts at the 21-and-under-event in Italy following standout seasons. They put each other through their paces as they adjusted to the conditions by hitting together at the Allianz Cloud.
“I am so excited to play here against the best young players of the year,” Alcaraz said upon his arrival Saturday evening. “I am really happy to be here.”
It has been a breakthrough year for the 18-year-old Spaniard, who has climbed from No. 141 in the FedEx ATP Rankings to as high as No. 35 in 2021. The Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag champion is a teen, but quickly acclimatising to the big stage.
“I am feeling comfortable and have a lot of confidence with myself,” Alcaraz said. “It has been a brilliant year and I hope to show a good level here at the Next Gen [ATP Finals].”
Fans are still getting to know Alcaraz, who owns wins against Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, former World No. 1 Andy Murray and Italian Matteo Berrettini this season. And the pupil of Juan Carlos Ferrero is thrilled to compete alongside the best 21-and-under players in the world this week at the Allianz Cloud.
“Playing against the young guys like me with the different conditions, best of five sets, four games [is nice],” Alcaraz said. “I am excited to play.”
Musetti will carry home hopes in Milan. The 19-year-old reached tour-level semi-finals in Acapulco and Lyon earlier this season and advanced to the fourth round at Roland Garros.
The Italian is excited to be competing on home soil and is aiming to replicate countryman Jannik Sinner’s 2019 title run this week.
“I saw the matches from Jannik [Sinner] when he won, so I hope to do the same and win the trophy,” Musetti said cracking a smile during the pre-tournament press conference. “I think everyone is honoured to be in this competition and playing the event this week.”
Alcaraz is in Group A alongside Brandon Nakashima, Juan Manuel Cerundolo and Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune, while Musetti will be joined in Group B by Sebastian Korda, Sebastian Baez and Hugo Gaston.
Alcaraz and Musetti are both making their debuts at the 21-and-under-event in Italy following standout seasons. They put each other through their paces as they adjusted to the conditions by hitting together at the Allianz Cloud.
“I am so excited to play here against the best young players of the year,” Alcaraz said upon his arrival Saturday evening. “I am really happy to be here.”
It has been a breakthrough year for the 18-year-old Spaniard, who has climbed from No. 141 in the FedEx ATP Rankings to as high as No. 35 in 2021. The Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag champion is a teen, but quickly acclimatising to the big stage.
“I am feeling comfortable and have a lot of confidence with myself,” Alcaraz said. “It has been a brilliant year and I hope to show a good level here at the Next Gen [ATP Finals].”
Fans are still getting to know Alcaraz, who owns wins against Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, former World No. 1 Andy Murray and Italian Matteo Berrettini this season. And the pupil of Juan Carlos Ferrero is thrilled to compete alongside the best 21-and-under players in the world this week at the Allianz Cloud.
“Playing against the young guys like me with the different conditions, best of five sets, four games [is nice],” Alcaraz said. “I am excited to play.”
Musetti will carry home hopes in Milan. The 19-year-old reached tour-level semi-finals in Acapulco and Lyon earlier this season and advanced to the fourth round at Roland Garros.
The Italian is excited to be competing on home soil and is aiming to replicate countryman Jannik Sinner’s 2019 title run this week.
“I saw the matches from Jannik [Sinner] when he won, so I hope to do the same and win the trophy,” Musetti said cracking a smile during the pre-tournament press conference. “I think everyone is honoured to be in this competition and playing the event this week.”
Alcaraz is in Group A alongside Brandon Nakashima, Juan Manuel Cerundolo and Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune, while Musetti will be joined in Group B by Sebastian Korda, Sebastian Baez and Hugo Gaston.