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Only a few days prior to the spectacular conclusion of the men's tour in the Italian city of Turin, the Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner show had kicked off. While the two competitors are engaged in a fight to decide the year-end No 1 ranking, speculation circulated that they were scheduled to share a training session. Sure enough, that day they stepped onto the stadium court together and were greeted by thunderous applause from a sizable crowd.

A Practice Session That Gripped the Sporting World

The exhibition game that ensued attracted comparable interest as plenty of games this season. Thousands of viewers tuned in to see the action unfold, and key moments were promptly shared later. The scores from friendly games usually do not leave the practice court, but on this unique event the sporting community quickly learned that the Italian star had wrapped up with a 6-3 win. They commemorated the moment with a selfie that rapidly circulated like wildfire.

"They own the circuit at present. Although Carlos endured a poor loss in his initial contest at the recent tournament, the streak that has defined this year's ATP season continued with Jannik's next triumph: every time Alcaraz and Sinner have played at a competition this year, at least one has finished the week with the championship."

The Question: Is There a Challenger?

Following a long period of hype and projections about dominance, these performances are demonstrative of two special players who have quickly made their mark as historic champions at such an early stage. But this season has also highlighted the shortcomings of the quality of the remaining players. Prior to the Turin event, the biggest inquiry is if any player is genuinely equipped of halting Alcaraz and Sinner.

The Contenders

As things stand, their odds are unpromising. Per the official standings, Alexander Zverev is the third-ranked athlete in the world. He also currently holds fewer than half as many tour points as the Spanish sensation at the second spot. Zverev remains one of the most accomplished competitors to have never won a major title, but he has been outclassed by Sinner and Alcaraz in their important duels and the disparity only seems to be widening. Since being completely overpowered by the Italian in the Australian Open, his campaign has been unimpressive.

Given he advanced to the semi-finals of every major this season this year, the Serbian legend has shown that he is arguably the third strongest competitor in the world. On paper, his opportunities of beating the top two are higher over shorter formats and indoors than during the majors, but he competes in the Greek tournament finale and he is still undecided whether he will play in Turin. The multiple games in his legs over the recent days would surely be an additional hindrance to his chances of success in Italy.

There are more doubts across the field. Taylor Fritz has experienced an excellent year, establishing himself in the upper echelon. His competitive toughness, ongoing development and the well-rounded game he has developed behind his enormous serve is admirable but it is difficult to avoid viewing him as a player who is maximizing all of his capability, instead of a competitor with adequate capacity for advancement to close the distance to the dominant duo.

Fresh Talent and Veteran Presence

In his debut in the season finale, Ben Shelton is the youngest of the other qualifiers and perhaps the most interesting addition. On one hand, with his devastating delivery, comprehensive offensive style and fitness, he has huge upside. But there are also gaps in his game, especially his backhand and ability to handle serves, that Sinner and Alcaraz have exploited with ease.

Alex de Minaur has admirably reached the ATP Finals for a second time in his tennis journey but his playing style is underpowered against the elite players. The last place in the draw will be decided on the weekend. Should the Italian hopeful overcome the Serbian to win the Greek tournament, he would overtake the high-performing Félix Auger-Aliassime in the qualification battle to become the last direct entry.

Key Missing Players

Equally significant as the participants in Turin are the absences. The notable declines of three former top players, consistent elite competitors in the recent past, have not helped the competition. The major physical issues to Jack Draper, in the middle of a monumental season, and the French prodigy, the extremely skilled 21-year-old who seemed to be in the midst of a landmark season, have reduced the group of contenders. Nobody else has gotten near to stepping up.

The Ultimate Conclusion

For anyone other than the dominant pair, the possibility of winning this Turin tournament seems very remote. Nevertheless, in a tournament showcasing the best players in the world, with the pressure squarely on the backs of the two favourites, each contest is an moment for the competitor to display what they are made of. The next few days will reveal who, if anyone at all, is ready to step up.