Carlos Alcaraz admits 'nerves' in securing No. 1 status with ATP Finals 2025 win over Lorenzo Musetti - but only 'part of job' complete

React to this story

Carlos Alcaraz will end the season as world No. 1 after beating Lorenzo Musetti 6-4 6-1 at the ATP Finals on Thursday, but the Spaniard says his work is only half done as he turns his focus to winning the title in Turin. Alcaraz admitted that the added importance of his match against Musetti made for a tense opening set, aware of the extra incentive to cement his status in the world rankings.

Carlos Alcaraz célèbre sa victoire face à Lorenzo Musetti aux ATP Finals 2025 de Turin

Image credit: Getty Images

Carlos Alcaraz will finish the year as world No. 1 after defeating Lorenzo Musetti 6-4 6-1 at the ATP Finals on Thursday, but the Spaniard insists his work is only part done as he targets the title in Turin.

Alcaraz, who has amassed 70 wins this season, eased into the semi-finals with a straight-sets victory that secured first place in the Jimmy Connors Group at the season-ending tournament.

The win also ensures the 22-year-old will avoid facing Jannik Sinner until the final, should both progress, though Alcaraz admitted the added significance of defeating Musetti contributed to a tense first set.

Tennis

One Point Slam to return at 2027 Australian Open - What is it and how does it work?

9 hours ago

Earlier on Thursday, Australia’s Alex de Minaur eliminated American sixth seed Taylor Fritz from the tournament with a 7-6 (3) 6-3 win, which confirmed Alcaraz’s place in the semi-finals.

Reflecting on his performance, the top seed told Sky Sports: "I got the news about the semi-final [qualification] before stepping on the court, which for me was great to be honest, but the match was really important for me - playing to end the year as No. 1. It wasn't easy at the beginning with the nerves.

"I knew that I was going to play almost the first set with those nerves, which I had to be focused on. I tried to handle that pressure, those nerves, the best I could, so I'm just really happy with the match, with the level that I played today, and obviously to be able to end the year as the No. 1."

Alcaraz later added: "It means the world to me, to be honest. The year-end number one is always a goal.

Alcaraz explains why this year is 'different' as Spaniard eyes first ATP Finals title

Video credit: SNTV

"At the beginning of the year I saw number one really far away, with Jannik winning almost every tournament he plays."Then in the last three, four tournaments of the year, [I was] fighting toe-to-toe with Jannik for this spot, and then finally I got it. For me, it means everything."

Sinner needed to defend his title and for Alcaraz to lose a group match and exit in the semi-finals to claim the top ranking.

On whether achieving the year-end No. 1 ranking lifted a weight off his shoulders, Alcaraz added: "Probably. Obviously, it was a really important goal for me to end the year as the No. 1, but this tournament is also really important to me.

"I'm excited about qualifying for the semi-final, giving myself a chance to play another semi-final here and hopefully get into the final, so we will see. I would say part of the job is done, but the rest of the job is still going, so I'm excited to keep going."

De Minaur: I was in a pretty dark place

Alcaraz’s victory also ensured that De Minaur reached the semi-finals, despite opening the tournament with back-to-back defeats.

The 26-year-old had struggled to trust the news of his qualification initially, having lost his previous 16 matches against top-10 players and all five of his prior ATP Finals matches.

De Minaur opens up on recent 'heartbreak' after beating Fritz

Video credit: SNTV

De Minaur's confidence had taken a blow after a painful defeat by Musetti on Tuesday, when he held a 5-3 lead in the deciding set before losing four consecutive games. But he reset mentally to produce an inspired display against Fritz.

"It means a lot. A couple of days ago, I was in a pretty dark place," De Minaur told Sky Sports. "More than anything, I feel proud of my efforts. Not just for coming out and winning, but also the mindset. I made peace with what had happened and just committed."

Speaking in his post-match interview, he added: "I've dealt with a fair bit of heartbreak recently. I've worked really hard, so it was good to get a positive reward for that.

"[The loss to Musetti] was a tough pill to swallow. I didn't overthink today; I just went out and committed to what I needed to do. I continued to back myself and, whether it worked or it didn't, I was going to leave it all out there today."

Watch and stream top tennis action, including the 2026 Australian Open, live on TNT Sports and discovery+

ATP Cincinnati