Carlos Alcaraz joins Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal on unenviable list after ATP Finals debut loss 

World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz finds himself on an unenviable list alongside Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic - of players who lost their debut ATP Finals match. Alcaraz suffered a defeat in his very first ATP Finals contest, which took place on Monday, November 13.

Alcaraz faced Alexander Zverev in the first match of the Red Group. The German, who won the tournament in 2018 and 2021, defeated the reigning Wimbledon Champion 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-4.

Carlos Alcaraz missed the ATP Finals last year owing to an abdominal injury. He has now followed in the footsteps of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic with his loss to Zverev; they too lost their respective debut matches at the tournament.

Nadal made his debut at the year-end championship in 2006, when it was known as The Tennis Masters Cup. He lost his first match to James Blake but won the rest of his group-stage matches to make it to the semifinals, where he was defeated by Roger Federer.

Meanwhile, Djokovic lost his debut match in the tournament in 2007, to David Ferrer. He did not advance past the group stage, losing his next two matches to Richard Gasquet and Rafael Nadal.

It's worth mentioning that Nadal has never won the ATP Finals, whereas Djokovic has six titles in his kitty and is aiming for a record-extending seventh this year.

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Carlos Alcaraz will face Andrey Rublev and Daniil Medvedev next

Carlos Alcaraz in action at the 2023 ATP Finals

Carlos Alcaraz's next two Red Group matches will pit him against two Russian aces: Andrey Rublev and Daniil Medvedev. Alcaraz and Medvedev have met four times on the ATP tour, with a 2-2 head-to-head record. Alcaraz and Rublev, however, have never faced each other on tour.

In a press conference, Alcaraz recalled his 2023 US Open semifinal match against Medvedev. He said the Russian would put up a 'tough' fight with his consistency and newfound aggression.

"Medvedev has his style. He doesn't miss any ball. He's really, really tough. He's a wall. I think the last tournaments that he has played, he was more aggressive. For example, in the semifinal of the US Open he was more aggressive than I thought. I think that's why he's really, really tough," he said.

The two-time Grand Slam champion then turned his attention to Rublev and analyzed his game too. Alcaraz said he would have to be 'really focused' in order to have a chance against both of his opponents.

"Rublev, his power of every shot, it is amazing. His forehand is one of the biggest forehand on the tour, for sure. He hit the ball 100% every shot during three, four hours. It is amazing. I will have to be really, really focused on every match if I want to give myself a chance," Carlos Alcaraz said.