According to Wally Masur, a former tennis player from Australia, Carlos Alcaraz is strong enough to challenge Novak Djokovic.
When Alcaraz and Djokovic faced off in the quarterfinals of the 2022 Madrid Open, the rivalry between them started to develop. The 24-time Grand Slam champion was decisively defeated by the Spaniard, who won his maiden Masters 1000 title.
The Serb reversed the pattern in 2023, winning three of their four contests. But in the Wimbledon final, Alcaraz pulled off a historic upset by winning over him.
In a recent podcast, former World No. 15 Masur discussed a possible competition between the two. He said: “We’re looking for an heir apparent to the Big Four, someone who can create a rivalry with Djokovic, and Alcaraz certainly can. I do enjoy watching him play. I’m so impressed with his character. He plays in the fine tradition of all the Spanish players. He’s a real warrior and, as I said, a real entertainer. So probably my favourite moment — the Wimbledon final.”
Masur also gave Alcaraz credit for returning from a crushing defeat in the French Open to win the Wimbledon title in less than four weeks.
He further said: “They played at the French Open in the semifinal and Alcaraz was overwhelmed. He admitted that Novak was inside his head, and anybody who said otherwise when they played Novak was lying. So, he’s very open and transparent. But he certainly rectified the situation. He rectified the situation in Wimbledon and even up to the very final game. It seemed like the tension was building and could Alcaraz get it done? But he got it done in style.”
Carlos Alcaraz in 2023
LWLLWWWWWW Now the world no.2, Carlos played his last match on the 18th of November when he was defeated 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 a compiled 65-12 record. Alcaraz clinched 6 titles in 2023 in Buenos Aires, Indian Wells, Barcelona, Madrid, London and Wimbledon. Carlos was the finalist in Rio de Janeiro and Cincinnati.
Novak Djokovic in 2023
LWWWWWWWWL Currently the world no.1, the Serbian played his last match on the 25th of November when he surrendered to world no.4 Jannik Sinner 6-2 2-6 7-5 in the Rubber 2 of the Davis Cup (draw).
At the moment, during this season Novak has a 56-7 win-loss record. Novak conquered 7 titles in 2023 in Adelaide, Australian Open, French Open, Cincinnati, U.S. Open, Paris and the Nitto ATP Finals. Djokovic reached the final in Wimbledon.
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic 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.
In the following video you can watch the key moments of their match.
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic |
| Embed from Getty Images |
