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The ATP Finals 2024, headlined by Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and Carlos Alcaraz, is one of the biggest tournaments happening this week. Defending champion Novak Djokovic withdrew before the start of the tournament due to an ongoing injury.
The women, meanwhile, will wrap up their season by representing their countries at the Billie Jean King Cup. The tournament will take place from November 13-20, with Canada being the defending champions. A total of 12 nations are participating this time, and the finals will be contested in a knockout stage.
With the long tennis season on its last legs, players will be eager to end the year on a high note. With that in mind, here's a look at three predictions in the world of tennis that could come true by the end of the week:
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Carlos Alcaraz to potentially exit the ATP Finals 2024 in the group stage
Alcaraz's ATP Finals 2024 campaign will begin today (November 11) against Casper Ruud. Given the Spaniard's 4-0 record against him, and his opponent's poor form, who is on a four-match losing streak, he's likely to start with a win. However, the next two group ties could prove to be tricky for him.
Alcaraz will have to face Alexander Zverev, who won the Paris Masters over a week ago. Though their rivalry is currently tied at five wins apiece, the former lost to the latter at last year's ATP Finals, as well as their other match played indoors in Vienna back in 2021.
Andrey Rublev will be Alcaraz's final opponent in the round-robin phase. Their head-to-head is currently tied at 1-1, and the Russian beat him at the Madrid Open earlier this year and brought an end to his title defense.
The Spaniard is a little vulnerable in faster conditions, as evidenced by his early exit from the Paris Masters this year. Alcaraz does have a challenging draw and could bow out from the ATP Finals in the group stage but he has the game to go all the way as well.
Iga Swiatek to lead Poland to its maiden Billie Jean King Cup title
Quarterfinal appearances in 1992 and 2015 at the Billie Jean King Cup have been Poland's best results thus far. They've made the final stage of the tournament this year as well, and with Swiatek in their ranks this time, the country could finally win the title for the first time.
Swiatek is not only the best player to come out of Poland but also one of the very best that the sport has ever seen. With 22 career titles, including five Major titles, and over 100 weeks as the World No. 1, she has already accomplished a career worthy of induction into the Tennis Hall of Fame at the age of 23.
Poland will face Spain in the first round of the finals this year on November 13 and will face the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals after that. They could meet either Italy or Romania in the semifinals, with USA, Canada, or Australia being one of their potential opponents in the final.
Swiatek's heavy schedule and the little recovery time between the WTA Finals and the Billie Jean King Cup meant she couldn't partake in the latter event. However, she is well rested this time, so this will be Poland's best shot to win the title.
Aryna Sabalenka to win the Player of the Year
Winning the Player of the Year award is a huge honor, signifying that the victor asserted their dominance on the WTA Tour throughout the season. Swiatek won the honors the past two years, and her reign could be under threat by Sabalenka this time.
Swiatek won her fifth Major title, and her fourth, at the French Open. She also claimed four WTA 1000 titles, and the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. Sabalenka, meanwhile, defended her Australian Open crown, and won the US Open, along with two WTA 1000 titles.
Sabalenka also reached another two WTA 1000 finals, and a final at the WTA 500 level. She took over the top ranking from Swiatek as well and concluded the year ranked atop the summit. With the importance given to the Majors, the Player of the Year award could go to the Belarusian this time, who nabbed two of them compared to her rival's one title.
