The ATP Finals in Turin are ready for a dramatic conclusion to the men’s tennis season, but the most talked-about moment so far happened before a single official point was played. While the world’s top eight players prepared for battle, a hilarious and unexpected practice session exchange between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Bublik stole the show, reminding everyone that even at the highest level, there’s always time for a little fun.
What Happened Between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Bublik in Turin?
The 2025 ATP Finals, scheduled from November 9 to 16 at the Inalpi Arena, features a star-studded lineup. Alcaraz enters as the top seed, joined by defending champion Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic, Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, and Alex de Minaur. The final spot was fiercely contested, with Lorenzo Musetti needing to win the ATP 250 title in Athens against Djokovic to edge out Felix Auger-Aliassime.
However, before the tournament’s official start, a practice session created a viral moment. Bublik, known for his flashy and unpredictable style, hit one of his signature underarm serves against Alcaraz. In response, Alcaraz playfully flipped him off, which led Bublik to blow a kiss back at him.
Bublik hit an underarm serve in practice, Alcaraz flipped him off, Bublik blew him a kiss.
About how we expected this practice to go… 💥😅😂
— Daily Alcaraz (@alcarazdaily) November 8, 2025
The lighthearted exchange brought laughter and cheers from the crowd, highlighting the friendly camaraderie among the elite players. The tournament draw placed Alcaraz in the Jimmy Connors Group with Djokovic, Fritz, and de Minaur.
Meanwhile, the Björn Borg Group includes Sinner, Zverev, Shelton, and the final qualifier. Djokovic’s participation remained uncertain as the seven-time champion delayed his decision until after his tournament in Athens.
Can Alcaraz Win His First ATP Finals Title?
While the practice-court fun captured headlines, a major storyline revolves around Alcaraz’s pursuit of his first ATP Finals championship. The title is one of the few that has eluded the 22-year-old Spanish sensation despite his dominance elsewhere. Bublik is in Turin as the second alternate, a position he earned after a strong run to the semifinals at the Paris Masters in early November, which vaulted him from 15th to 11th in the Race to Turin standings.
Adding to the drama, Alcaraz is locked in a tight battle with Sinner for the year-end World No. 1 ranking. The two rivals dominated the 2025 Grand Slam season, splitting the four major titles. Sinner captured the Australian Open and Wimbledon, while Alcaraz conquered the French Open and US Open.
This tournament represents the final chance for Alcaraz to reclaim the top spot, which he last held in August after his US Open victory. To guarantee the year-end No. 1 ranking, Alcaraz must accumulate enough points in Turin to hold off any potential charge from Sinner.
