WATCH: Novak Djokovic thanks Saudi Arabia for ‘opening doors’ for tennis as he gets ready for his clash against Carlos Alcaraz in the exhibition event

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz will battle it out for the final time this season on December 27 in Riyadh.

WATCH: Novak Djokovic thanks Saudi Arabia for ‘opening doors’ for tennis as he gets ready for his clash against Carlos Alcaraz in the exhibition event

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz (Image via: Open source)

Novak Djokovic recently thanked Saudi Arabia ahead of his participation in the 2023 Tennis Cup exhibition event in Riyadh. After summoning up a thriller 2023 season that witnessed the Serb adding numerous laurels to his list of achievements, Djokovic expressed his gratification to the Saudi Arabian authorities.

The Serbian is scheduled to lock horns with young talent Carlos Alcaraz in a much-anticipated exhibition contest on December 27, 2023. The duo has clashed five times on the Tour, with Djokovic triumphing in straight sets at their recent encounter at the 2023 ATP Finals.

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While talking in an on-court interview at the Saudi Arabian premises, Novak Djokovic elatedly expressed his delight in being a part of the event.

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The 36-year-old reserved some words to address the long-term benefits for athletes as the country opens its doors to numerous sporting events for the world to indulge in. Nole also highlighted the upside of his upcoming clash with World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz. 

I am happy to be present for the first time in Saudi Arabia, which opens the doors to many sporting, entertainment and musical events, and I hope that many people and children will attend so that they can be inspired by tennis. To combine the first in the world with the second is a wonderful thing for the sport of tennis and for us players.
Novak Djokovic told o Asharq Al-Awsat at the Tennis Cup Exhibition.

Nole made history this season after clinching the 2023 US Open and becoming the first tennis professional to level Margaret Court’s colossal 24 Grand Slam title record. The Serb also achieved the feat of concluding the season as the year-end World No. 1.

Novak Djokovic acknowledges his brewing rivalry with Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic recently acknowledged his rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz and admitted that the young Spaniard will lead the sport for the coming 10–15 years.

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz (Credits: X)
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz (Credits: X)

Ahead of the duo’s clash in Riyadh, the 36-year-old spoke highly of the Spanish talent in an interview. The Serb further hailed his rivalry with the two-time Grand Slam champion.

It's good that there's a great new rivalry in tennis. He's going to lead for the next 10 or 15 years.
Djokovic told the media (via Marca)

The latest head-to-head between Djokovic and Alcaraz currently stands at 3-2 in favor of the former. The blockbuster pre-season contest between the two players will witness the pair battle it out for the final time this year at the Tennis Cup in Riyadh on December 27.

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