'There's a lot of doubt with Carlos Alcaraz,' says Wilander, but backs him for the ATP Finals

Former world number one Mats Wilander has backed Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz to be ‘fired up’ for the upcoming ATP Finals. The 21-year-old is already regarded as one of the best player currently playing in men’s tennis in the singles category along with the likes of Italy’s Jannik Sinner.

Alcaraz is now set to take part in the upcoming ATP Finals. The mega-event, which is the last in the men’s tennis calendar, will begin from Sunday in Turin, Italy, where top eight players will participate to showcase their talent and secure the ultimate prize. Former world number one Wilander has recently spoken to Eurosport where he talked about the prospect of the young Spaniard in the upcoming competition.

The 60-year-old was of the opinion that there are still some doubts about Alcaraz despite he has won a lot in the recent past, including two Grand Slams in 2024, but believes that the reigning world number three will be ‘fired up’ to showcase his talent at the highest level against the best players in the world to finish the season on a high, especially when he is playing against the best in the world.

"There's a lot of doubt with Carlos Alcaraz," said Wilander. "Even though he won two majors in the French Open and Wimbledon, the final of the Olympics is not that bad, even though everybody's trying to make it out as 'he didn't win the Olympics'. That would have been an amazing year. Why I like Carlos Alcaraz in this situation is that, in the last few weeks, he's lost to players that you scratch your head and go 'whoa, how does he lose to this player?' He doesn't have to play these players [in Turin]. He only has to play guys that are ranked in the top eight in the world. I think immediately Alcaraz will get fired up."