Carlos Alcaraz highlights reason for his indoor struggles after ATP Finals upset1

Carlos Alcaraz has highlighted his limited experience playing on indoor courts as a significant challenge in his career following his loss to Casper Ruud at the 2024 ATP Finals in Turin. Despite his impressive record on other surfaces—where he has won eight clay titles, five on outdoor hard courts, and three on grass—Alcaraz has yet to secure a title or even reach a final in indoor tournaments.

Reflecting on his performance after the match, Alcaraz pointed to his lack of match exposure indoors and emphasized that it would take time and experience to build his skill on such surfaces. He remains confident, however, that he has the potential to become a strong player in indoor settings with more practice and match play.

To aid his transition, Alcaraz’s coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, has even installed a replica of the GreenSet surface used in Turin at their training facility in Alicante, preparing him for both the ATP Finals and the upcoming Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.

Alcaraz, though currently battling illness, expressed determination to improve his indoor game as he faces Andrey Rublev in his next group-stage match. His recent challenges also come after a defeat at the Paris Masters, another major indoor event, adding to his urgency to adapt to indoor conditions and compete more consistently at a high level.