Carlos Alcaraz the man to beat on clay, says Novak Djokovic
FILE PHOTO: Tennis – ATP Masters 1000 – Madrid Open – Caja Magica, Madrid, Spain – Might 7, 2022 Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz Garfia shakes fingers with Serbia’s Novak Djokovic after successful their semi remaining match REUTERS/Isabel Infantes
ROME—World primary Novak Djokovic stated Carlos Alcaraz is the person to beat on clay and is likely one of the prime title contenders for the French Open.
Alcaraz has received back-to-back claycourt titles in Barcelona and Madrid after starting an injury-hit season with the Buenos Aires crown and is poised to leapfrog Djokovic into prime spot within the rankings after the continued Italian Open.
Rafa Nadal, a 14-time champion at Roland Garros, has been coping with a hip damage he suffered on the Australian Open in January and fears are rising the Spaniard might miss the Paris Grand Slam.
Djokovic, 35, instructed reporters in Rome that Alcaraz was worthy of the primary rating.
“He’s going to be primary after this event no matter occurs. Deservedly so,” he added. “He has been enjoying some very spectacular tennis, a fantastic degree. He’s the participant to beat on this floor, little question.
“After all, it relies on if Nadal goes to play within the French Open or not. However Alcaraz is likely one of the prime favourites with none dilemma.”
Djokovic, who skipped the American hardcourt swing as he was unvaccinated for COVID-19, stated he hoped to reignite his rivalry with U.S. Open champion Alcaraz with a possible remaining assembly on the playing cards in Rome.
“We confronted one another solely as soon as final 12 months in Madrid,” stated Djokovic, who misplaced that match in three units. “If we get an opportunity to face one another right here, it will be within the remaining. I feel we might each like to play within the remaining.”
The 22-times Grand Slam champion, who performs Tomas Martin Etcheverry afterward Friday, stated he had overcome a proper elbow drawback that stored him out of Madrid.
“It’s all good. There’s at all times some issues right here and there that hassle you at this degree. It’s regular,” Djokovic stated.
“If you’re not 25 anymore, I suppose you expertise {that a} bit greater than what was once the case. It takes a bit extra time to get well.”
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