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Merely a few days prior to the season-ending climax of the tennis season in Turin, the Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner show had kicked off. While the two competitors are competing intensely to decide the world number one position, talk spread that they were scheduled to practice with each other. True to form, that session they entered the center court side-by-side and were welcomed by deafening roars from a significant crowd.

An Exhibition Set That Fascinated the Global Audience

The training match that followed garnered as much attention as plenty of games this year. A multitude of fans watched live to watch the live stream, and recaps were swiftly available later. The results from training matches typically stay on the training venue, but on this unique event the global audience soon discovered that the Italian star had finished the day with a triumphant set. They marked the occasion with a selfie that instantly spread like wildfire.

"This is their tour at present. Although Alcaraz suffered a disappointing result in his first game at the Paris Masters, the pattern that has defined this year's ATP season endured with Jannik's next triumph: whenever the rivals have competed at a competition this year, either player has ended the event with the title."

The Central Issue: Who Can Stop Them?

Subsequent to much anticipation of hype and projections about dominance, these performances are reflective of two exceptional athletes who have already established themselves as all-time greats at such a tender age. But this campaign has also reflected badly on the standard of the remaining players. Ahead of the season finale, the biggest inquiry is whether any athlete is truly able of halting Alcaraz and Sinner.

The Contenders

At the moment, their prospects are bleak. According to the ATP rankings, Alexander Zverev is the third best player in the world. He also presently possesses a fraction as many ATP points as the Spanish sensation at No 2. Zverev remains one of the most accomplished competitors to have never won a grand slam tournament, but he has been dominated by the leading duo in their important duels and the difference only looks to be increasing. Following utterly dominated by the Italian in the first major of the year, Zverev's season has been unimpressive.

Taking into account he reached the penultimate stage of every major this season this year, the Serbian legend has demonstrated that he is arguably the third strongest competitor in the world. Theoretically, his opportunities of beating the top two are better over best of three sets and indoors than deep in the grand slam tournaments, but he is involved in the Athens final and he is still undecided whether he will participate in Turin. The series of contests in his legs over the recent days would certainly be further detrimental to his hopes of winning in Turin.

Further questions exist throughout the draw. Taylor Fritz has enjoyed an excellent year, embedding himself among the elite. His mental strength, steady progress and the versatile playing style he has developed behind his enormous serve is commendable but it is difficult to avoid viewing him as a player who is squeezing out all of his potential, rather than a contender with sufficient scope for advancement to narrow the divide to the leading pair.

Fresh Talent and Veteran Presence

In his first ATP Finals, Ben Shelton is the most junior of the six challengers and possibly the intriguing newcomer. For one thing, with his devastating delivery, versatile attacking game and physical prowess, he has huge upside. But there are also weaknesses in his play, notably his backhand side and return of serve, that the top players have taken advantage of effortlessly.

Alex de Minaur has successfully qualified for the ATP Finals for a second instance in his tennis journey but his playing style is lacking in firepower against the elite players. The remaining berth in the lineup will be settled on Saturday. Should Lorenzo Musetti beat the Serbian to win the Greek tournament, he would jump ahead of the in-form Canadian star in the points race to become the last direct entry.

Notable Absences

Equally significant as the players in the Finals are the non-participants. The notable declines of Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev, consistent elite competitors not very long ago, have failed to strengthen the field. The major physical issues to Jack Draper, in the middle of a monumental season, and Arthur Fils, the extremely skilled youngster who seemed to be in the midst of a career-defining period, have reduced the group of contenders. Not a single competitor has come close to elevating their game.

The Ultimate Conclusion

With the exception of Sinner and Alcaraz, the possibility of claiming this Turin tournament seems extremely distant. Nevertheless, in a competition showcasing the best players in the world, with the expectations firmly on the shoulders of the two favourites, each contest is an opportunity for the underdog to display what they are capable of. The next few days will show who, should there be any, is prepared to rise to the occasion.