Carlos Alcaraz is about to be finally back to competition after a hiatus of more than three months due to a series of injuries. During a recent interview with Tennis TV, the former world number one talked about his favorite weapon: the drop shot. Nevertheless, Carlito admitted that tennis legends such as Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are unfortunately very good at reading his shot.
Carlito commented: “Faced with Rafa Nadal, it must be recognized that it is very difficult to win a point on a drop shot, whether against him or against Novak Djokovic, for that matter. I think they know very well when I’m going to hit a drop shot. They see the shot even before I realize it. And, of course, they run forward; you know, they always hit the ball. They are very good at that. Then they hit a counter-bumper, and they win the point.”
Carlos Alcaraz in 2023
At the moment ranked no.2, Carlos played his last match on the 4th of November 2022 when he had to retire when playing against world no.9 Holger Rune in the quarter and the scoreline was 6-3 6-6 .
Currently, during this year Alcaraz owns a 57-13 record.
Alcaraz will play next in Buenos Aires (Argentina Open). He will start from the main draw that will commence on the 13th of February.
Novak Djokovic in 2023
At the moment ranked no.1, the Serbian played his last match on the 29th of January when he defeated world no.3 Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 7-6(4) 7-6(5) in the final of the Australian Open to win his 93rd career title.
During this season Novak has managed to achieve a composed 12-0 match record. Novak conquered 2 titles in 2023 in Adelaide and Australian Open.
He is also scheduled to play in Indian Wells (BNP Paribas Open) after Dubai. The main draw will start on the 27th of February.
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic clashed against each other just on 1 occasion. Their 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) in May 2022.
Here the video highlights.
Rafael Nadal in 2023
Ranked world no.6, the Spaniard played his last match on the 18th of January when he lost to world no.59 Mackenzie Mcdonald 6-4 6-4 7-5 in the 2nd round in the Australian Open (draw).
This season the Spaniard has a 1-3 record.
Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal |
Embed from Getty Images |