"Honestly, it doesn’t really matter. Okay, it does matter" - Zverev discloses mixed feelings of competing with Sinner while Shelton excited for debut ATP Finals campaign

Ahead of the ATP Finals in Turn, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton sat down in their press conference to answer questions from the press. The trio will compete against each other in the Bjorn Borg group, with action starting Sunday, 9th November.

The Italian is looking forward in playing in his home country. "I’m very happy to be here. It’s the last tournament we play, so let’s see what’s coming," Sinner said. "But I’m very happy to play in Italy once again. After Rome, coming back here in Turin after last year is great, and we all hope for a great event."

He will not just have eyes on regaining his title he clinically clinched last year but also snatching the number one ranking back off Carlos Alcaraz. "Of course, Carlos’s early exit in Paris meant there was something to play for. Now there are some scenarios, which obviously I know and follow — but at the same time, if he plays really well, there’s no chance, no matter what my result is."

Nevertheless, his overall aim is for silverware. "Last year I had great feelings lifting the trophy here, and that’s something I’d love to experience again, no matter what happens with the year-end No. 1. Right now, I’m just looking forward to showing great tennis like I did in the last months and especially the last few weeks. One key to playing good tennis is being as free as possible — and that’s what I’m trying to do."

At the start, Zverev was described as a 'veteran' in this event, something he did not take kindly to. "Thanks for calling me old — that’s a great way to start the press conference," he laughed. "It’s a very unique and special event. You have to play your best tennis from the first point to the last to have a chance. It’s an event that, if you qualify, you always look forward to, and I’m looking forward to this year as well."

To challenge for the title, he will likely need to compete with Sinner and Alcaraz. The German admitted that they were clear on court at the moment. "To be honest, I think everybody is quite far from Jannik and Carlos at the moment. So it’s not just perception — it’s the truth," he acknowledged. "This year, I had some physical issues. I’ve been struggling with my health all year. But when I was healthy and able to compete — like in Vienna and Paris — I felt I was still showing great tennis. That’s what gives me hope. When I take care of my body and I’m at 100%, I feel like I can compete with the best players in the world."

Zverev has had previous success in Turin, winning this second ATP Finals title in the Italian city. He reminisced of a positive 2021 campaign: "What I remember most is that it was a great week for me. 2021, in general, was phenomenal," Zverev said gleefully. "I won the most tournaments on tour that year, Olympic gold, two Masters. It was such a great season. Here, the semifinal against Novak [Djokovic] was a really high-level match, which I won, and then I felt phenomenal in the final against Daniil [Medvedev]. All in all, it was a great week and great memories for sure."

He went on to jokingly state that he would rather Sinner and Alcaraz play in a different group than him. "Honestly, it doesn’t really matter. Okay, it does matter," he said with a smile. "But they’re both the best players in the world for sure. For me, on this surface — indoors, faster hard court — I feel like this court is much faster than Paris. I think Jannik is the best player in the world right now, and I think if you asked Carlos, he’d probably agree. Of course, anybody can beat anybody — Carlos can beat Jannik and vice versa. But the last two years I was in Carlos’s group and I won both matches. If I could choose, I’d probably want Jannik and Carlos in the same group — and then I’d play a different one."

Shelton is very excited to get underway. "For me, it’s been pretty amazing to see. The thing that stands out the most is the fans — how much they care about this event and how much they show up. You can tell how passionate and excited they are for the tournament to be in Turin," he said. "For me, being here for the first time and experiencing that has been really cool. It’s sort of an unmatched feeling compared to any other tournament throughout the year, so yeah — it’s been great."

He saw the positive in being drawn in the same group as Sinner, looking forward to the positive atmosphere from the Italian fans. "My first time playing this event here in Italy — I like big crowds and feeling that energy, whether it’s with me or against me," the American said. "So I hoped I’d be in the group with whichever Italians were in the tournament, to feel that and experience it. I thought it would be really cool to play an Italian here in Turin."

At the start of the year, Shelton made it his target to qualify for the Finals - and he completed it with flying colours. "It’s a very big deal for me to be here. He’s [Zverev] making fun of me — he’s won this tournament twice and has been playing it since he was 13 years old," Shelton joked.

"But yeah, it was a huge goal for me. I finished last year outside the top 20, and I’ve made a lot of progress over the last two years with my game. That’s what’s most important to me — not just results, but how I’ve evolved: playing on different surfaces, being able to play well throughout the year, not just at certain times. To be in the final eight here in Turin, you have to be more consistent than a top-20 player. So for me, being here shows I’ve improved to that level — and that’s what I’m most happy about," he concluded.