According to Toni Nadal, Novak Djokovic is currently performing at a level that is significantly below what the legendary Serb was capable of five or ten years ago.
The Spaniard claimed that, with the exception of Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, the level provided by most of the top players at the moment is disappointing. With victories at the Australian Open and French Open as well as making it to the Wimbledon final, Djokovic is on track for having one of his best Grand Slam seasons.
Nadal stated in an interview with El Pais, that the top players on the men’s tour were far stronger a few years ago than they are right now.
Nadal discussed in the interview and said: “The top tennis players of a few years ago were better than those of today. I think that it is most likely so. That before the players were noticeably better and much more competitive than those of the present moment.”
He further added some remarks about the current top players: “The current Djokovic is well below that of five or ten years ago. I am surprised by the general lack of consistency and regularity. With the exception of Djokovic and Alcaraz, the level offered by the majority is disappointing.”
Alcaraz at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2023
LWWWLWWWWW Currently the world no.1, Carlos achieved an overall 57-6 record in 2023. The Spaniard is currently having a run at the U.S. Open where he managed to beat the world no.75 Dominik Koepfer 6-2 3-2 ret., the world no.177 Lloyd Harris 6-3 6-1 7-64, the world no.28 Daniel Evans 6-2 6-3 4-6 6-3 and the world no.61 Matteo Arnaldi 6-3 6-3 6-4.
Carlos Alcaraz will compete against the world no.12 Alexander Zverev in the quarter on Wednesday at 9:00 pm on ARTHUR ASHE STADIUM. Their actual record is 3-2 for Zverev.
Alcaraz has won 6 titles in 2023 in Buenos Aires, Indian Wells, Barcelona, Madrid, London and Wimbledon. Carlos was the finalist in Rio de Janeiro (Rio Open) and in Cincinnati (Western & Southern Open).
Alcaraz won 12 titles in his career: 3 on hard courts, 7 on clay courts and 2 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Djokovic at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2023
LWWWLWLWWW Ranked no.2, the Serbian has managed to achieve a composed 43-5 record in 2023. Djokovic is playing at the moment at the U.S. Open where he overcame the world no.84 Alexandre Muller 6-0 6-2 6-3, the world no.76 Bernabe Zapata Miralles 6-4 6-1 6-1, the world no.38 Laslo Djere 4-6 4-6 6-1 6-1 6-3, the world no.105 Borna Gojo 6-2 7-5 6-4 and the world no.9 Taylor Fritz 6-1 6-4 6-4.
Novak Djokovic will face the world no.47 Ben Shelton in the semifinal. They have never competed against each other as of now in top tournaments.
Novak has won 4 titles in 2023 in Adelaide, Australian Open, French Open and Cincinnati. The Serbian reached the final in Wimbledon.
Novak won 95 titles in his career: 51 on hard courts, 19 on clay courts, 17 on indoor courts and 8 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic played each other 4 times. Their current record is 2-2. The last time they locked horns, Novak Djokovic won 5-7 7-6(7) 7-6(4) in the final in Cincinnati (Western & Southern Open) on the 20th of August 2023.
In the following video you can watch the key moments of their match.
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic |
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Embed from Getty Images |
