Novak Djokovic has hailed Carlos Alcaraz’s breakthrough season by saying the Spaniard has earned the right to be ranked No.1 in the world.
The 19-year-old started 2022 outside of the top 30 but has shot up the standings following a series of milestone victories. Within the first six months of the season, he won two ATP 500 events and two Masters 1000 titles. At the Madrid Open, he became the youngest player to score back-to-back wins over Rafael Nadal and Djokovic in the same tournament. After reaching the final of a couple of European clay events in July, Alcaraz claimed the biggest title of his career by winning the US Open. It was that triumph in New York that elevated him to become the youngest world No.1 in ATP history.
Djokovic believes the rise of his rival has created a boost for the sport by attracting a surge of interest. The two players haven’t clashed on the Tour since their blockbuster meeting in Madrid which Alcaraz won in three tightly contested sets.
“Alcaraz is the world number one, he is the best. Nothing more to add, the rankings show it. It is a fact that I played less, Wimbledon points did not count, maybe it would have been different in different circumstances, but that is a ’what if’,” Tennis Majors quoted Djokovic as telling Sportal.
“It is what it is, he absolutely deserved to be where he is – I congratulate him for all the success he has had. I think it is great for tennis that such a young guy achieved so many historic results and milestones, because that attracts a lot of attention for our sport, so we all benefit.”
Alcaraz is bidding to end the season at the top of the rankings but faces a challenge from his idol Nadal who is less than 900 points behind him in the race. He is playing in the Swiss Indoors this week where he has already recorded his first match win since the US Open. In the first round on Monday, he overcame a stern challenge from British rising star Jack Draper.
“I am sure that Nadal will try to dethrone him until the end of the year, he has got a chance,” Djokovic commented.
“And then we turn a new leaf next season, let’s see what happens.”
Djokovic is set to return to competition next week at the Paris Masters where he is the defending champion before the ATP Finals in Turin. It is possible that he could play Alcaraz at both tournaments.
