The battle for ending the year as world no. 1 increased in intensity as the US Open arrived. Novak Djokovic, in red-hot form as he surged to a record 24th grand slam title in New York, usurped the top spot from Carlos Alcaraz, who had no points to gain from the tournament.
The tables were turned during later tournaments in the year, as Alcaraz stood to gain points while Djokovic could only defend them. This opened the possibility for the guards to change at the top before the season concluded, but the Spaniard’s shock exit from a major tournament has left the Serbian with an advantage.
Novak Djokovic to add another record to his list
In a remarkable season filled with records, Novak Djokovic will add another feather to his achievement-strewn cap. A win at the Paris Masters would have most certainly seen Alcaraz back on the top of the ATP rankings but now, in current circumstances, Novak Djokovic is guaranteed to reach November 20 as world no. 1.
The record will be a remarkable 399th week at the top of the ATP rankings for Novak Djokovic. Past years have seen him vigorously swap the ranking with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, but with the arrival of Carlos Alcaraz, the Serbian has had a new foe to deal with at the very top.
Ending the year as world no. 1 is virtually guaranteed for the Serb; however, he will have to win one round-robin match in the Nitto ATP Finals to seal the mark.
Djokovic is competing at the Paris Masters, where a title win would see him within touching distance of a record eight-year-end as world no. 1, and he would also breach the 400-week mark.
After breaking the men’s grand slam record, creating a head-to-head record and becoming the oldest player to win the Cincinnati Open, Novak Djokovic will certainly have a year to remember – one that is on par with his 2015 season.
Carlos Alcaraz crashes out of Paris Masters 2023
As the battle for the top spot was heating up, Carlos Alcaraz entered the Paris Masters knowing he would have to seal a title victory to meet his goal of ending the year as world no.1. Many commentators of the sport had favoured him as a contender for the finals, but little did they know that a world no.45 Russian would knock the 2021 US champion out in the second round.
Roman Safiullin produced one of his better performances, if not his best, to clinch his encounter with Alcaraz 6-4, 3-6. Alcaraz performed poorly, producing numerous unforced errors while Roman managed to capitalise on the break points on offer.
“I just didn’t feel well on the court,” Alcaraz said after his match. “A lot of things to improve, a lot of things to practise. I didn’t move well. In the shots, I think I had a good quality of shots. But physically in the part of movement, I have to improve a lot.”
His exit meant Novak Djokovic would have an easier route to the finals, and the Serb will play Argentinian Tomas Etcheverry in the round of 32 match on Wednesday.
What are your opinions on Novak’s new record? Will the Serbian end the year as world no.1? Let us know in the comments section below.
