Tennis

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who will start Sunday in Turin in search of a sixth Masters win to match record-holder Roger Federer, will face Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud in his group, according to the draw made Thursday night. In the other group, world No. 2 Daniil Medvedev, winner of last year's Masters, will face Alexander Zverev, Matteo Berrettini and Hubert Hurkacz. The Tennis Masters, which brings together the eight best players of each season at the end of the year, is played in Turin from this year until 2025, after twelve editions played in London. "Nole", five-time winner of the event (2008, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015), has the opportunity to continue collecting records in case of new success to join Federer on the shelves, crowned six times. The Serb can play with a clear head, as he is now assured of finishing the year at the top of the world rankings for the seventh time in his career after his success last Sunday at the Paris Masters 1000. And this before his last appointment of the year: the Davis Cup (November 25-December 5), for the second edition of its revisited formula. "Djoko, the only 30-year-old in a tournament where the seven other participants are 25 years old or younger, will meet for the first time in his group (green) the Russian Andrey Rublev (N.5), who could have been on his way to Paris (in the quarters) if he had not fallen in the second round against the American Taylor Fritz. In the other group, the red one, Russian Daniil Medvedev will meet German Alexander Zverev (N.3), whom he beat in the semifinals in Bercy (6-2, 6-2) before losing to Djokovic in the final. The defending Masters champion will face Italy's Matteo Berrettini, the No. 1 player in the ATP rankings, who is expected to get a big boost from the fans in Turin. Turin will be the 15th city, the first in Italy, to host this tournament created in 1970. The matches will take place from Sunday until November 21 at the Pala Alpitour, presented as the largest indoor stadium in Italy. This multi-sports complex was built for the 2006 Winter Olympics (it hosted the ice hockey competition).

For Roger Federer, no retirement in sight: "I'm sure I'll notice when the time comes" Roger Federer is staying the course. At the age of 40 and still recovering from a third knee operation, the Swiss tennis player has no plans to end his career, as he told Blick in an interview. The former world number one has not played since his quarter-final loss to Hubert Hurkacz at Wimbledon. Roger Federer may be 40 years old, he may have played only 13 matches this season and he may be nursing a third knee operation, but it is still not time to talk about retirement. While he continues to rehabilitate and has not set a return date for the time being, the Swiss player suggested that he still has no intention of putting away his racket. "The best possible end to my career? That doesn't exist for me," he said in an interview with Swiss media outlet Blick. But I would like to be able to choose the moment myself. I'm sure I'll notice when that time comes." Since announcing that he would have to undergo another surgery, the third in just under two years, the former world number one has always felt capable of returning to the level and the courts. For all that, if he continues to put it off, it's certainly not out of apprehension. "I'm not afraid of the time after my professional career," he assured. It will be a smooth transition. Mirka and I have done an incredible job of balancing tennis, family and friends, which almost makes me the proudest. After all, what's really important in life?" Clearly, Federer still plans to juggle all three parts of his life.