Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic may be miles apart in terms of age, but they are still hungry as ever to dominate men’s tennis amidst an interesting rivalry between the two maverick players. The 2023 season has been remarkable for both of them, with Alcaraz dominating the Serb in Wimbledon before Djokovic gained revenge on the Spaniard at Cincinnati.
The 20-year-old prodigy from El Palmar and the age-defying 36-year-old from Belgrade have battled it out in muddy clay courts, dew-covered grass courts and rugged hard courts over the course of a nascent conflict that currently stands at 2-2 in their head-to-head meetings. Amidst talk of being billed as ‘title-winning’ material ahead of the US Open, the Serbian gained a slight advantage over Alcaraz when he had the chance of regaining the world no.1 ranking during the course of the tournament.
Alcaraz determined to reclaim World No.1 ranking from Djokovic
Carlos Alcaraz began his US Open title defence just 20 points ahead of Novak Djokovic in the ATP rankings. With 2000 points to defend from his 2021 title triumph, Alcaraz had no points to gain from this year’s tournament as compared to Djokovic, who would need to win only one match to reclaim the top spot. Alcaraz’s slender advantage in the rankings vanished quickly when Djokovic defeated Alexandre Muller in the first round match.
The victory meant he took over the mantle as world no.1 from Alcaraz, who had a few words of determined resolve. “Well, right now it’s a goal for me honestly. I said before that we are having a really good battle for the No 1, Novak and I. I knew that he was going to recover the No. 1 after US Open.”
“When the tournament is over, I will try to recover as soon as possible. That’s my goal.I am working for that. The season has a lot of tournaments until the year is over. I’ll try to recover it before the tournament end, before the year end.”, Alcaraz said.
Carlos Alcaraz has won tournaments in Madrid, Barcelona and Queens along with Wimbledon in 2023. Djokovic, on the other hand, has had a major boost in his rankings after grand slam victories in Australia, France and an ATP masters 1000 title at Cincinnati. There are ATP 500, ATP 1000 tournaments in China along with high profile contests in Japan, Austria, Switzerland and the Nitto ATP Finals left in the 2023 season for Alcaraz to reclaim his world no.1 ranking. It remains uncertain how many of these ATP tournaments Djokovic will participate in.
Carlos Alcaraz makes solid start in US Open
Carlos Alcaraz has made a positive start to the US Open with victories over Domink Koepfer and Llyod Harris in the first two rounds. He was leading Koepfer 6-2, 3-2 in the first round before the German retired with an nagging ankle injury. Alcaraz was in a joyous mood post the match and belted a rendition of ‘Vagabundo’ to a rapturous response from the New York crowd.
The Spaniard then showcased the full range of his abilities against South African Harris in the second round, as he systematically dismantled the world no.177 6-3, 6-1, 7-6 (4).
“I think I played a great match from the beginning until the last ball. If I have to keep something from the match I’m going to keep the level from the second set.”, the Spaniard said.
Harris, a strong server, who reached the US Open quarter-finals two years ago, found it tough to break a steely Alcaraz, who was in fine form in the second set. The third was more equal in competition, as Harris led Alcaraz 4-2 at one point. The Spaniard had to dig deep to force a tiebreaker and at match point, served a cannonball first serve that the South African returned long.
Carlos Alcaraz is set to face British world no.26 Dan Evans, whom he leads 2-0 in their meetings. Dan Evans came back from a set down to topple Botic van de Zandschulp 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 6-3.
Carlos Alcaraz can become the first player since Roger Federer to defend the US Open title. Federer had famously won the tournament 5 years in a row from 2004 to 2008. His lack of points to be gained from winning matches means he will drift further apart in the ATP rankings from Novak Djokovic, should the Serbian progress.
What are your opinions on Carlos Alcaraz’s chances of defending his crown? Are you excited to witness another showdown between Alcaraz and Djokovic in the US Open? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
