Novak Djokovic expresses opinion on whether Carlos Alcaraz deserves World No.1 spot
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Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz
With the form that former World No.1 Novak Djokovic is currently at, especially on the hard courts, many are conjecturing if recent US Open winner Carlos Alcaraz would still have a winning chance at Flushing Meadows, had the Serb been allowed to compete.
Djokovic, who recently won back-to-back titles in Tel Aviv and Astana in dominating fashion, spoke about the missed opportunity in an interview to Sportal where he left no hesitation in praise for Alcaraz and went on to say that the teenage sensation’s uprising was good for the sport of tennis. Nineteen-year-old Alcaraz recently became the youngest World No.1 in history beating former Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt by a few months for the feat.
“Alcaraz is the world number one, he is the best. Nothing more to add, the rankings show it. It is a fact that I played less, Wimbledon points did not count, maybe it would have been different in different circumstances, but that is a ’what if’” Djokovic said.
“It is what it is, he absolutely deserved to be where he is – I congratulate him for all the success he has had. I think it is great for tennis that such a young guy achieved so many historic results and milestones, because that attracts a lot of attention for our sport, so we all benefit. I am sure that Nadal will try to dethrone him until the end of the year, he has got a chance. And then we turn a new leaf next season, let’s see what happens,” the Serb added.
Novak Djokovic opens up on how people behaved differently to what he was expecting across controversy-ridden 2022 season
Djokovic also spoke about how some people behaved very differently with him during a season marred by controversies.
“It was a very interesting year, peculiar,” Djokovic told the Serbian media outlet. “I always strive to draw positive things from whatever the experience is, that is part of my character and my approach to life. I know that everything that happened in Australia and afterwards – the way people have treated me, which did not feel nice and it is something I have never experienced before in my life – has helped me to learn some valuable lessons. Lessons about myself, about life and about the way I should move on in this world, especially in the tennis ecosystem.”
“Many masks have fallen, so to say – throughout this process, it was interesting for me to observe the way some people behaved towards me this year. I keep going, motivated and inspired,” he added. “I love this sport, I love giving it my all in every practice because every day is different, and there is always some sort of excitement, some sort of unknown, it is a challenge. The young guns are coming, they are hungry for success, so that is something that gives me extra motivation as well.”
He also opened up on his chances of a return at the 2023 Australian Open in the same interview, revealing that his lawyers are having conversations directly with Australian Open authorities, and that while there are positive aspects to it, he can’t speak about it yet.
“I really want to go there, I am over what happened this year and I just want to play tennis, it is what I do best. Australia has always been the place where I have played my best tennis, the results speak for themselves, so I am always extra motivated to go there. This time even more, so. I am hoping for a positive answer,” explained Djokovic.
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Ashish Maggo
(191 Articles Published)