The ATP Finals and a high probability of hosting the first duel between Alcaraz and Jódar
We analyze the competition format of the ATP Finals 2026, as well as the schedule and timings of a tournament in which Alcaraz and Jódar could face each other for the first time.
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Jódar will attract all eyes of Spanish tennis at the ATP Finals 2026. From November 15 to 22, Turin will host the tournament that gathers the eight best players of the season, and it is worth reviewing aspects such as the schedule, timings, competition format, and where to watch live this highlighted event.
One of the season's highlights is already here. The ATP Finals 2026 are full of incentives and promise intense emotions for all fans. This unique tournament with its genuine competition format guarantees great matches next in Turin, and one of the most anticipated for months is a fraternal showdown between Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Jódar. What are the real chances of it happening?
Competition format and tie-break criteria in the group stage of the ATP Finals 2026
The elite of tennis grouped into two groups of four players each. The legendary concept of Round-Robin that comes into our lives every year will dictate the fight for a spot in the semifinals. The top two from each group advance to the penultimate round, with crossover matches, meaning the first of one group faces the second of the other, and vice versa.
In this edition, the ATP has decided to name the groups Group John McEnroe and Group Ivan Lendl. It is important to remember the tie-break criteria in case two players finish with the same number of wins after three matches played. The primary criterion will be head-to-head results, so if there is a tie between two players, the one who won their particular matchup will be ranked higher.
If there were a tie between three players, each with one win after having all played three matches, the percentage of sets won would be considered, and if equality persists, the percentage of games won. In bizarre and unprecedented cases where ties persist, the ATP ranking position at the start of the tournaments would be used to resolve it, and, if necessary, the head-to-head between the players.
Seedings and possible matchups: Can Alcaraz and Jódar face each other?
The answer is clear: Yes, and there is a high probability of it. In the draw that will take place this Thursday at 12:00h in Turin, the procedure will consist of placing the top two seeds in different groups, continuing this pattern with the third and fourth, the fifth and sixth, and the seventh and eighth.
Alexander Zverev
Carlos Alcaraz
Ben Shelton
Daniil Medvedev
Flavio Cobolli
Arthur Fils
Frances Tiafoe
Rafael Jódar
It is clear that Zverev will go to one group and Alcaraz to the other, so the German and the Spaniard could only meet in the semifinals or final. The same situation will occur with Shelton and Medvedev, Cobolli and Fritz, as well as Tiafoe and Jódar. Given this scenario, there is a 50% chance of Rafael Jódar being placed in the same group as Carlos Alcaraz.
If luck continues to be elusive in offering that first matchup between the two Spaniards, the possibility of them facing each other will remain, as long as both qualify for the semifinals.
There will be no easy group for anyone, although looking at how all players are performing, Medvedev and Cobolli seem more accessible than Shelton and Fils, so a group with both Spaniards alongside the Russian and the Italian would keep the dream alive for both Carlos and Rafa to advance to the penultimate round and even meet again in the final.
Schedule and timings of the ATP Finals 2026
Everything will be resolved in a week, with six days dedicated to the group stage. From Sunday, November 15, to Friday, November 20, the Round-Robin will take place, with alternate competition days for each group.
The timings for individual matches will be one at 14:00h and the other at 20:30h. Once the draw is made, it will be determined which group starts the competition first and, therefore, which players compete on Sunday the 15th, Tuesday the 17th, and Thursday the 19th, and who plays on Monday the 16th, Wednesday the 18th, and Friday the 20th.
The semifinals will be played on Saturday, November 21; the first will be at 14:30h, with one participant having played the day before, while the second will be at 20:30h. The great final will take place on Sunday, November 22, starting at 18:00h.
Where to watch the ATP Finals 2026 live
The matches of Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Jódar in the ATP Finals 2026 will be broadcast live in Spain through Movistar+, which will air all the matches of the week in Turin, with a special focus on the Spaniards. Each day, the best match of the day will be chosen to be broadcast on channel 8 or #Vamos, available to Basic package customers, while the other match can be watched live on some channel from the Deportes+ package.
Anyone who wants to watch the ATP Finals 2026 matches live online can use the Movistar+ app, provided they have a client username and password, allowing them to follow the matches from any device. Additionally, TennisTV will broadcast all matches live and on-demand for subscribers, available worldwide and from any device.
Streaming de tenis online
Toca para ver en directo
Publicidad · +18 · Juego responsable. Necesitas una cuenta con fondos en Bet365. No es obligatorio apostar.
Moreover, you can also watch the ATP Paris 2026 live thanks to the streaming service offered by Bet365. You only need to open an account and make a minimum first deposit of €5. From that moment, you will have immediate access to all matches in the "Live" section, without needing to place a bet. Additionally, you can watch it from any device.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Las ATP Finals y una alta probabilidad de acoger el primer duelo entre Alcaraz y Jódar