Greg Rusedski believes Carlos Alcaraz has been ranked #1 for most part of 2023 but majority of players still think Novak Djokovic is the best in the world at the moment.
Former world No. 4 also claimed that Djokovic still considered himself #1 in the world when he was not holding the rank and he expects the Serbian to teach at least 25-26 slams in 2024.
Djokovic defeated #3 seed Daniil Medvedev in straight sets in the final of 2023 US Open earlier in September to lift the fourth trophy at Flushing Meadows and extend his slam count to 24 majors.
The Serbian has contested ATP #1 spot with Alcaraz, since the Murcia-native topped the ATP rankings for the first time after clinching his maiden major title at the 2022 US Open.
Djokovic once again snatched back the #1 crown from the 20-year-old following his 4th success at New York earlier this month as the 2-time Slam champion was knocked out in semis by Medvedev. The 36-year-old has now won 3 of four majors this year and this this fourth time Djokovic repeated the feat in his career.
In an episode of the Tennis Channel Inside-In podcast, Rusedski, a 1997 US Open runner-up talked about Spaniard’s failed bid to defend his first major and the consensus that Djokovic has been the real #1 throughout the 2023 season.
“It was the first time in his career that he (Alcaraz) had to defend a major. It’s not a bad effort making the semis. I mean most people if they get to the semis of a major, that’s career-defining,” assessed the British-Canadian.
“You talked about [Ben] Shelton right now making the semis, beating [Frances] Tiafoe in the quarters – ‘What a great result’. World No 1 loses in the semis — ‘What’s going on.’
“Let’s be honest, he (Alcaraz) was World No 1 for most of this year but all the players still think Novak is No 1 because he wasn’t allowed to play the Indian Wells, Miami, all the majors he missed as well because of his stance that he had with Covid as well, not getting vaccinated.
“So you gotta look at all those things that were around the whole situation for Novak. I think Novak felt he was No 1 even though the ranking didn’t say so.”
The 15-time ATP titlist also outlined the importance of Djokovic’s epic Cincy final win against Alcaraz before heading to Flushing Meadows.
“He was struggling with heat strokes during that match because it was really hot in Cincinnati. He knows how to manage those situations, took a little more time, had the trainer come out, won that second set, and then all of a sudden, he pushed his win to the third set,” said Rusedski.
“Novak knew how to handle bigger situations. That was the defining match that got him to win the US Open. Novak will be very pleased about 3-4 majors this year and number 24.
“But also, coming up next year he’s got the Australian Open, his most successful major, so I have a feeling 25-26 is in store for next year at least.”