Novak Djokovic is very well aware of what it means to be the world number 1 after staying at the top for 373 weeks. Carlos Alcaraz has just collected a trophy celebrating his world number 1 status. The young Spaniard is just 19 and he still needs to adjust to topping the rankings.
During a recent interview, Novak Djokovic explained why Alcaraz now has to be careful. According to the Serbian sensation, Carlito has a target on his back because everyone wants to beat the world number 1.
“When you are the one who is chasing, you have less pressure; when they are chasing you, when everyone wants to be where you are, things change mentally. We’ll see how it goes,” said Novak.
Alcaraz and his coach Ferrero
Nevertheless, Novak Djokovic is certain that Carlito has the right team and the right coach (Juan Carlos Ferrero) to weather the storm. Juan Carlos used to be a world number 1 and therefore, he knows very well what it means to be there.
“He also has a great coach, someone who has been in his shoes, former No 1 Ferrero. It is a perfect combination. Ferrero knows exactly what you are going through, how to help you mentally withstand the pressure of being number one and everyone wanting to dethrone you. This is just the beginning for him, but he is hungry for success,” said Novak.
Carlos Alcaraz in 2022
LLWLWWWWWW Now ranked no.1, Carlos played his last match on the 4th of November when he had to retire when playing against world no.10 Holger Rune in the quarter and the scoreline was 6-3 6-6 .
At present, during this year, Carlos achieved a 57-13 win-loss record. Alcaraz has won 5 titles in 2022 in Rio de Janeiro, Miami, Barcelona, Madrid and U.S. Open. Alcaraz reached the final in Hamburg and in Umag.
Novak Djokovic in 2022
LWWWWWWLWW Currently ranked no.8, Novak played his last match on the 16th of November when he overcame world no.7 Andrey Rublev 6-4 6-1 in the round robin in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
This season Djokovic achieved an overall 39-7 record. The Serbian clinched 4 titles in 2022 in Rome, Wimbledon, Tel Aviv and Astana. Novak got to the final in Belgrade and in Paris.
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic played each other just once. Their actual head to head record is 1-0 for Alcaraz. When they played, Carlos Alcaraz won 6-7(5) 7-5 7-6(5) in the semifinal in Madrid (Mutua Madrid Open) on the 7th of May 2022.
Here the video highlights.
Carlos Alcaraz |
| Embed from Getty Images |
