Fans gathered in Turin's Piazza San Carlo on Friday evening to welcome the stars of the 2026 Nitto ATP Finals, with all eight singles players taking to the Blue Carpet ahead of the season-ending event.
From the anticipation of seeing their favourite players up close to the atmosphere surrounding the Stargate installation, supporters enjoyed a special opportunity to celebrate the arrival of the world's best players in the heart of the city.
Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Ben Shelton, Daniil Medvedev, Flavio Cobolli, Arthur Fils, Frances Tiafoe and Rafael Jodar were greeted by enthusiastic fans as they made their way along the Blue Carpet, stopping to wave, pose for pictures and interact with supporters who had gathered to catch a glimpse of the players.
Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Flavio Cobolli and Frances Tiafoe
Frances Tiafoe
For many, it was an experience they had been looking forward to for some time.
“I have the feeling that I live the dream by being here. It will be amazing to see the players so close,” said Marie, 22, from France. “I’m most excited to see Carlos Alcaraz here at the Blue Carpet. He is my favourite player and I will support Alcaraz this week.”
Carlos Alcaraz
Doriana, 21, who travelled from Taranto in southern Italy, was equally excited by the occasion.
“It’s so exciting to see the players here on the Blue Carpet. They’re all dressed up. They’re outside the court,” Doriana told ATPTour.com. “It’s a beautiful atmosphere here in Turin. [I am] most excited to see Alcaraz and Fils but also really excited to see Cobolli.”
Flavio Cobolli is making his debut at the event
The occasion also attracted fans from much further afield. Butch, 49, had travelled all the way from Melbourne to be in Turin for the tournament.
“I’ve flown all the way from Australia to be here for a week. Just to see this,” Butch said. “I was a huge Rafa Nadal fan so it was an easy transition to then support Carlos Alcaraz. If I can’t support Sinner then I’ll support Alcaraz and I hope he wins.”
Danesh, 19, who studies in Milan, had also made the journey to Turin to see the players arrive. The Madagascar native is supporting Fils this week, but expects Alcaraz and the No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings Zverev to be among the leading contenders.
“I’m half French so I’ll support Fils this week,” Danesh said. “I’ll support Fils but think the final will be between Alcaraz and Zverev. “It is a great event for Turin but all of us tennis fans, to be able to see the best players up close.”
Arthur Fils and Ben Shelton
While there was support for all eight competitors, home favourite Cobolli proved particularly popular among the fans gathered in Turin. Of the 31 fans interviewed by ATPTour.com ahead of the Blue Carpet, 18 (58 per cent) said they wanted the Italian to win the Nitto ATP Finals.
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Filomena, 62, and Pietro, 20, are both from the host city and will both be cheering Cobolli on in Turin.
“I’m here to see Cobolli first, and then Zverev,” said Filomena. “It is beautiful to be here, watching the players arrive.
Alexander Zverev is a two-time champion at the year-end event (2018, 2021)
Pietro said: “It’s Cobolli that I’m most excited to see. He’s the one I’m going to support this week. I think Alcaraz will win, but I would like to see Cobolli win.”
There were plenty of other favourites among the supporters, too. Caterina, 23, from Monza, was firmly behind Medvedev: “I’m here to see Medvedev. I want to be the only one to say that. I’ve liked Medvedev for a long time because we match in our personalities, so I’ll be supporting him this week.
“I’ve seen the players on TV for many years so this experience is amazing so that I can be so close to them.”
Daniil Medvedev, the 2020 Nitto ATP Finals champion
Malena, 15, from Colombia, is backing Alcaraz, but also has an eye on Ben Shelton.
“I’m really excited to see Carlitos Alcaraz because he’s a great player but also a great person,” Malena said. “I think Zverev will make it close because he is having a really good season. I also really like Shelton, so if Alcaraz or Zverev don’t win, maybe Shelton will win.”
Jodar is one of four debutants in the singles field (Cobolli, Fils, Tiafoe, Jodar), with Matteo from Genoa excited to see the Spaniard in action.
“My favourite player is Cobolli so I’m excited to see him here and this week. Other than Cobolli, I’m excited to see Jodar,” said Matteo, 17. “These players are my idols so I’m excited to be close to them today.”
Rafael Jodar is making his tournament debut following a breakthrough first season on Tour
For others, the Blue Carpet was about taking in the occasion as a whole and enjoying the opportunity to see the players away from the court.
“To see the players here away from the court is always emotional,” said Antonio, 23, from Sicily, who was looking forward to seeing Alcaraz and supporting Cobolli.
With the Blue Carpet celebrations complete, attention now turns to the action at the Inalpi Arena, where the eight singles stars will compete for one of the biggest prizes in tennis from 15-22 November.
Frances Tiafoe is making his debut in Turin
Read more from the fans
Zlatko, 26, from Turin: “We are going to support Cobolli as the Italian player here, but also Zverev because he is the number one in the ATP rankings.”
Filippo, 16, from Asti: “I’m supporting Cobolli and Fils this week. Cobolli first because he is Italian, then Fils second.”
Lora, 15, from Turin: “I’m excited to see Ben Shelton. I like him as a person and as a player.”
Carolina, 29, from Peru: “It is a dream for someone who loves tennis to see this experience live. I’m going to support Cobolli but I think Carlos Alcaraz will win.”
Photo credits Jack Howell/ATP Tour & Clive Brunskill
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