Matsuoka Spotlights Alcaraz & Sinner as Pioneers of ‘New Tennis’ at ATP Finals
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A former ATP star and current television personality believes a new generation of players, led by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, are redefining the sport both on and off the court.
The ATP Tour is experiencing a dynamic shift, and Shuzo Matsuoka, a respected voice in Japanese sports broadcasting, is keenly observing the evolution firsthand. The former World No. 46, a one-time tour champion and 1995 Wimbledon quarter-finalist, is in Turin for the Nitto ATP Finals, immersing himself in the event and analyzing the game’s progression.
A Fan of the New Generation
“At the moment I like [Carlos] Alcaraz and [Jannik] Sinner,” he shared in Turin.”I had an interview with them at the Australian Open and also at the US Open. They were so nice.”
A Changing Game
Beyond their on-court prowess, Matsuoka emphasizes a essential change in the players’ overall approach. Having coached juniors at the Japan Tennis Association for 25 years – including players like Kei Nishikori – he’s witnessed the sport’s change. “Tennis has wholly changed,” he explained. “Alcaraz and Sinner play a new tennis. Also the speaking, the way they act, it’s all new. So I had to change myself, the speaking, the way I act.”
This shift necessitates a reevaluation of training methods in Japan, according to Matsuoka.”Tennis is changing, so in Japan we have to start the new generation and new tennis also in Japan too. It’s a mental approach.” He believes cultivating a modern mindset is crucial for Japanese players to compete at the highest level.
Matsuoka, who accumulated 145 tour-level wins throughout his career, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, is not only analyzing the game but also documenting his experience. He is filming his time at the Nitto ATP Finals to share with a Japanese audience.
Beyond the Court: The Spectacle of the Finals
Matsuoka expressed his excitement about experiencing the ATP finals firsthand after years of providing television coverage from Japan. “I’m very excited,” he said. “This is the first time I’ve been to the event. I was doing the television coverage in Japan,with Kei Nishikori,Novak Djokovic and everyone. I was commentating, but this is my first time coming here and it is indeed completely different. It’s like a show. The players, everybody, make it feel like the Finals.”
He intends to convey the full scope of the event to viewers in Japan, highlighting not just the tennis but also the atmosphere and cultural experience. “I want to introduce how big the Nitto ATP Finals are and how tennis is improving [to people in Japan. Not just watching it. The whole show, the food, the places. Those things I think are very vital. I am learning, so I am taking many things from here and will bring them to Japan and use them at the Japan Open to change and make more exciting things for tennis.”
A Multifaceted Career & The Importance of Culture
Matsuoka’s post-playing career is remarkably diverse, encompassing motivational speaking and even hosting the weekly cooking show, Kuishinbo! Bansai, since 2000. His visit to Italy also underscores the importance of food and social connection. “Eating is a passion and [relates to] how you feel,” he noted. “Italy has this feeling in the culture. The food,the water. When they eat, they eat, it is indeed always with family, and that is a very good thing, I think. not alone.The family and friends are critically important for tasting too. I have a couple of days here, so I also want to concentrate on eating and restaurants. I just had a pizza here and it is indeed completely different in Japan.”
Ultimately, Matsuoka’s observations extend beyond the technical aspects of tennis, recognizing the broader cultural and social elements that contribute to the sport’s evolving appeal.
