ATP have themselves to blame says Paul McNamee calling Novak Djokovic - Carlos Alcaraz ATP Finals battle an 'anti climax'
ATPTuesday, 21 November 2023 at 01:59
Former
doubles world No. 1 Paul McNamee criticized the court conditions at the ATP
Finals following the "anti-climax" victory of Novak Djokovic over
Carlos Alcaraz.
Perhaps the
most anticipated match by fans before the ATP Finals was the possibility of the
world No. 1 and world No. 2 facing off and delivering another memorable
encounter like the Wimbledon final (won by Alcaraz) or the Cincinnati Open
final (won by Djokovic).
In the
semifinals of the tournament, 'Nole' demonstrated superiority and took the
match with a resounding 6-3, 6-2 victory in an hour and 30 minutes. For former
Australian tennis player Paul McNamee, the match was marked by the surface in
Turin, which did not do justice to the magnitude of the contest.
"63 62
was a masterclass by Djokovic over Alcaraz, the second best player in the
world. Ultimately though an anti climax…. but ATP have themselves to blame by
laying such a quick surface…imo not a way to showcase the two best
players," he posted on X (Formerly Twitter).
Faced with
the responses from some fans, the former doubles world No. 1 commented that the
issue is not the surfaces being too fast but that they are not suitable for the
ATP Finals.
"I
don’t have a problem with a fast surface…. but not for the finals, which should
be balanced and give a fair go to all eight players," he added.
After the
match between Alcaraz and Djokovic, the Serbian was pleased with the strategy
he executed during the match. He expressed pride in the intensity he displayed
and the focus in crucial moments:
"I
approached the match with the right attitude, the right mentality, and I knew
from the very first point it was going to be greatly intense. He had break
points right away, 15/40 in the first game. That’s Carlos. He always brings out
his best in these kinds of matches and starts with a lot of high quality tennis
and intensity. You’ve got to match that, try to weather the storm, and I did
that," Djokovic explained.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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