Juan Carlos Ferrero defends Carlos Alcaraz over criticism of not deserving the World No. 1 position following Novak Djokovic’s forced absence this year
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Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic
Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest man to become the World No. 1 following his 2022 US Open title. The Spaniard achieved the feat at the age of 19 years, 4 months and 6 days becoming the first teenager on the ATP Tour to claim the top spot.
Prior to Alcaraz, the record was held by Lleyton Hewitt who was 20 years, 8 months and 26 days when he reached the top. With only 6730 points, Alcaraz’s tally at the top is one of the lowest drawing flak for him. With 21-time major winner Novak Djokovic also absent this year for quite some time, the teen’s feat is underappreciated.
“It’s normal that some people think that Carlos doesn’t deserve this place because it’s true that Djokovic didn’t play two Grand Slams and could have won more, or not, in fact we’ll never know. But at the end of the day, I think this place is deserved especially if you win almost every game you play during the year.
“I think it’s been a very successful year. You have to respect all opinions, but I think it’s deserved,” said Juan Carlos Ferrero, Alcaraz’s coach, speaking with Puntodebreak defending his ward.
Carlos Alcaraz leads Novak Djokovic in head-to-head
Djokovic was disallowed from playing at the 2022 Australian Open due to his decision to remain unvaccinated against Covid-19. Despite entering the country and even having a practice session at the Melbourne Park, Djokovic was deported on the eve of his first-round match.
Djokovic faced a similar ban from entering the USA which led to the Clay season being his proper start to the season. The Serb met Alcaraz for the first time at the 2022 Madrid Masters in the semi-finals and the local boy won the match in 3-sets to reach the final and eventually the title.
After defeating Djokovic, Alcaraz became the first man ever to defeat both Rafael Nadal and Djokovic in the same clay event. Alcaraz had defeated Nadal in the quarter-finals before downing Djokovic and then Alexander Zverev in the finals to claim his second Masters-1000 title.
While the two have met only once, Alcaraz does indeed lead the head-to-head against the Serb. Fans were hoping for a Grand Slam showdown between Alcaraz and Djokovic but couldn’t clash at the French Open and the Wimbledon.
Djokovic was ruled out of the 2022 US Open as well due to his non-vaccinated status. Alcaraz did not lose the chance as he clinched his first major in New York and also got hold of the number 1 ranking. With things looking to improve from the next season, fans would hope to have more of Djokovic and Alcaraz battles.
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Sarthak Shitole
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