Carlos Alcaraz and Djokovic rivalry is providing the much needed spark the tennis world needed this year and former #1 John McEnroe voiced his and also a common tennis fiend’s desire to once again spectate the pair go toe-to-toe at the New York major.
Alcaraz clinched his second Grand Slam at Wimbledon earlier in July and became the first man to overcome Djokovic on SW19 Center Court in a decade.
The former #1 has lauded the current ATP #1’s heroics, “What Alcaraz has done in the last year is unbelievable. He’s put himself in a position where you talk about him in the same way as Novak and Rafa [Nadal] in a way which is incredible.
“The best player I’ve ever seen at his age. It’s incredible how good he is already. Novak is incredible how good he still is.”
Alcaraz is heading to the US Open as the defending Champion for the first time in his career and the possibility of another GS final with Djokovic is something every spectator looks forward to. The latest pairing of duo in the final of Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati lived up to the hype as the 23-time Grand Slam champion avenged his Wimbledon final loss in a 3-set battle.
People are already talking about another scintillating clash at the Flushing Meadows and McEnroe is one of those hoping for the dream US Open final between the veteran statesman of tennis and young guard:
“Even though in America you want to see an American breakthrough, everyone is saying ‘oh I want to see Alcaraz play Novak’ because he wasn’t allowed to play. That was the first tournament in America he’s played in two years in the States. The whole thing was crazy. It’s a great story.”
He continued, “To see the all-time great play against the young superstar is incredible. I’d love to see that match played again. The last couple of matches have all been close and incredible matches. Let’s hope it lasts.”
It will be Djokovic’s first appearance at the season-sending slam of the year since 2021 as the 36-year old was barred to enter US until May as an unvaccinated being. The 3-time US Open Champion is just one win away from returning to the top of the ATP rankings with McEnroe suggesting that Djokovic can run and slide on the tennis courts for another ‘three-four years’.
“He looked amazing [in the Cincinnati final]. It was extremely hot and was struggling with the heat. He somehow found a way. It’s unbelievable that he is so good at this age,” claims McEnroe.
“The way he looks, it looks like he can do it three-four more years the way he is going. It’s hard to believe that anyone can do it as well he is doing even at this age. It’s unprecedented.”
Djokovic and Alcaraz will know about their US Open draw positioning and route to final when the draw unfolds on Thursday.
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz Head-to-Head
As the hype ramps up for another Alcaraz-Djokovic clash, we look back on their four encounters so far:
Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz: 2-2
Alcaraz beat Djokovic, 6(5)-7 7-5 7-6(5) (Madrid Masters Semi 2022)
Djokovic beat Alcaraz, 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1 (French Open Semi 2023)
Alcaraz beat Djokovic, 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 3-6 6-4 (Wimbledon Final 2023)
Djokovic beat Alcaraz, 5-7 7-6(7) 7-6(4) (Cincinnati Open Final 2023)