The 4-time Grand Slam champion suffered a surprising defeat against Casper Ruud, losing 1-6, 5-7 in his ATP Finals debut. The 21-year-old came in as the favorite, but struggled against Ruud, who had been in a rough stretch with seven losses in his last eight matches.
Mixed doubles silver medalist (London 2012) Laura Robson was present at the match as a commentator. She noted the unusual lack of dialogue between Alcaraz and his coach Ferrero, especially surprising given that ‘Carlitos’ was struggling to find his rhythm.
Robson surprised by unusual silence from Ferrero
Alcaraz was out of sync in the first set, managing only a 50% first-serve rate with 15 unforced errors and only 6 winners. The Spaniard couldn’t capitalize on any of his five break points, allowing Ruud to take the first set 6-1. Alcaraz improved in the second set, even leading 5-3, but Ruud raised his level to win four consecutive games, securing an impressive victory that temporarily places him as the group leader.
"I was sitting right next to Juan Carlos Ferrero, and they are usually in constant dialogue, but there was none of that," Laura Robson remarked. "Towards the end, I started wondering if he needed something else, but there was nothing between Carlos and his box. That was surprising to me—it just wasn’t the result we expected!"
“If you compare the body language of the two player boxes, it was totally different. When Casper broke back in the second set, they were on their feet, really encouraging him, keeping up his intensity and footwork,” she added.
“I feel like that sums up where both players were on the court. Looking over, you could feel the energy was low on Carlos’ side compared to the other side, where they were fully engaged and boosting him to close out the match. It makes a huge difference.”
Carlos Alcaraz at 2024 Paris Masters.
Casper Ruud was thrilled with his win in his Finals debut. Though he hadn’t been in top form recently, he showed impressive play against the World No. 3. "It can be tricky. I kind of knew he was maybe dealing with a bit of a cold. I’d seen him sniffling around and carrying a tissue, which is a sign he might not be at 100% physically," Ruud said after the match.
"Of course, that’s unfortunate for him, but it’s also part of the game. I knew it coming in and tried to keep him in rallies, though it’s tough because when you know someone’s not 100%, you can feel pressure, thinking it’s a good chance to win," he continued. "I just tried to stay in my own world, got a strong start with a break, and in the second set, I turned things around with some good tennis to finish the match."
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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