As the 2024 ATP season looms closer, insights and anticipations flood the tennis world, with former Roger Federer coach Paul Annacone pinpointing Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz as the frontrunners. With merely a month remaining before the inaugural Grand Slam, expectations are high, leaving minimal room for players to refine their form once the matches commence.
Both Djokovic and Alcaraz have demonstrated their capacity to swiftly adapt, showcasing their remarkable ability to elevate their game. Alcaraz’s meteoric ascent on grass was a sight to behold, reminiscent of Djokovic’s tactical prowess and adaptability.
When contemplating Grand Slam contenders, Djokovic naturally stands out, having clinched three out of the four prestigious titles last year and establishing a dominant record in Australia over the years. However, Alcaraz’s burgeoning talent presents a formidable challenge, particularly Down Under, a sentiment echoed by Paul Annacone, who suggests that they have outpaced their competitors over the past year.
“In my personal opinion, over the 12-month period, I believe Novak and [Carlos] are slightly superior to everyone else. Not significantly, but noticeably.”
Although some argue for their marked superiority, the pivotal factor remains that they won’t emerge victorious in every tournament. The landscape of tennis boasts numerous skilled players capable of rising to the occasion. Nonetheless, as Annacone articulated on the Rock n Roll Tennis Podcast, Djokovic and Alcaraz are undeniably the prime contenders for major tournaments, particularly in the grueling three-out-of-five set format.
“Does this imply they will triumph in every single tournament? No. However, I would incline towards them in the Majors – particularly in three out of five sets.”
Amid the sea of competitors, when asked to identify a potential challenger from the rest of the players, Annacone highlighted Danil Medvedev. Medvedev’s proximity to Djokovic and Alcaraz’s performance over the past 12 months positions him as the likeliest candidate to challenge the two stalwarts.
As the tennis world braces itself for the commencement of the 2024 ATP season, the spotlight undoubtedly shines on Djokovic and Alcaraz, but with the dynamic nature of the sport, surprises may lurk around every corner.
Novak Djokovic in 2023
LWWWWWWLWW Ranked world no.1, Novak played his last match on the 25th of November when he capitulated to world no.4 Jannik Sinner 6-2 2-6 7-5 in the Rubber 2 of the Davis Cup (draw).
This season the Serbian achieved a compiled 56-7 match record. Djokovic conquered 7 titles in 2023 in Adelaide, Australian Open, French Open, Cincinnati, U.S. Open, Paris and the Nitto ATP Finals. The Serbian was the runner-up in Wimbledon.
Carlos Alcaraz in 2023
LWLLWLWWWW Now the world no.2, Alcaraz played his last match on the 18th of November when he was overcome by world no.1 Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-2 in the semifinal in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
At the moment, during this season the Spaniard has managed to achieve an overall 65-12 record. Carlos conquered 6 titles in 2023 in Buenos Aires, Indian Wells, Barcelona, Madrid, London and Wimbledon. Carlos was the runner-up in Rio de Janeiro and Cincinnati.
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz clashed against each other 5 times. Their actual record is 3-2 for Djokovic. Previously, the last time they played each other, Novak Djokovic won 6-3 6-2 in the semifinal in Turin (Nitto ATP Finals) on the 18th of November 2023.
You can watch the highlights in the following video.
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz |
| Embed from Getty Images |
