Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz & Jannik Sinner in same group for ATP Finals? | 3 predictions for tennis this week

With the ATP Finals around the corner, players are still fighting for the remaining three spots, and defending champion Novak Djokovic's plans remain uncertain as well. Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, and Taylor Fritz are the only ones to have sealed their berths at the year-end championships thus far.

The top eight women, meanwhile, have already commenced their quest at the WTA Finals. The first matches of the round-robin stage have been contested, and the tour's top four ranked women emerged victorious to begin their journey on a winning note.

There are quite a few storylines unfolding at the WTA Finals, with Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek's fight for the year-end No. 1 ranking taking the spotlight. On that note, here are predicting a few scenarios that could happen in the world of tennis this week:

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Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic in danger of potentially being in the same group at the ATP Finals 2024

Novak Djokovic at the ATP Finals 2023. (Photo: Getty)

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz were among the first players to seal their spots at this year's ATP Finals. Novak Djokovic, the defending champion, is currently sixth in the race but could be overtaken by a few challengers by the end of this week.

However, provided that Djokovic qualifies for the same, and intends to compete in the ATP Finals as well, he could potentially end up being a part of the same group as Alcaraz and Sinner. Alexander Zverev won the Paris Masters, and bumped the Spaniard down to No. 3 in the rankings this week.

Had Alcaraz remained in second place, then he could've at least avoided Sinner. Djokovic, meanwhile, could be seeded anywhere between sixth to eighth, depending on the results of other players competing this week. If the contenders fail to leapfrog him in the rankings, then he will be seeded sixth. However, that does not preclude him from being in the same group as his younger rivals.

Top two players from each group advance to the semifinals. Thus, if Sinner, Alcaraz, and Djokovic are a part of the same group, then only two of them will make it through. While three of the sport's biggest names being part of the same group isn't ideal, it would certainly generate enough buzz for the tournament.

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Aryna Sabalenka successfully concludes her challenge for the year-end No. 1 spot

Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka at the WTA Finals 2024. (Photo: Getty)

Aryna Sabalenka is attempting to fend off a challenge from Iga Swiatek for the year-end No. 1 ranking at the ongoing WTA Finals. She was in a similar position last year as well, and her younger rival edged her to the summit by winning the year-end championships.

However, Sabalenka has an even bigger lead this time, of 1,046 points to be precise, which tilts the odds heavily in her favor. Both contenders for the top spot began their campaign at the WTA Finals with a win. The Belarusian beat Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 6-4, while the Pole staged a comeback to secure a 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 win over Barbora Krejcikova.

Sabalenka's coronation as the year-end No. 1 could be confirmed as soon as Tuesday (November 5). If she beats Jasmine Paolini on Monday, and Swiatek loses her match against Gauff the next day, then the reigning Australian and US Open champion is guaranteed to end the season atop the summit regardless of how the rest of the tournament pans out for either player. Given how the two competed in their respective openers, it is a distinct possibility.

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Alex de Minaur qualifies for the ATP Finals in an incredible last minute push

Alex de Minaur at the Paris Masters 2024. (Photo: Getty)

Halfway through the season Alex de Minaur looked to be a contender for an ATP Finals spot. However, an injury sustained at Wimbledon caused him to miss a few events, which allowed his rivals to move ahead of him. However, the Australian has caught up to them, and is currently eighth in the race after his quarterfinal finish at the Paris Masters.

De Minaur is currently participating in the Belgrade Open, while his rivals Casper Ruud and Andrey Rublev are competing in the Moselle Open. The Russian is in ninth place, and needs to go one round further than the Australian in order to qualify.

If they both lose at the same stage, then de Minaur is guaranteed a place in the ATP Finals. He would then become the first player from his country to partake in the year-end championships since Lleyton Hewitt in 2004. However, all three contenders could very well end up competing in the tournament if Djokovic ultimately decides to pull out as his participation is still up in the air.