Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are separated by five ATP points on the ATP ranking list! The world’s best players will switch places after the Rome Masters, with Alcaraz starting his 23rd week as world no. 1. The young gun is making his debut in Rome, while Djokovic defends 1000 ATP points following the last year’s title.
Novak praised Carlos ahead of Rome, saying he deserves to become world no. 1 again. Alcaraz was honored to hear that, responding nicely to Djokovic and hoping they would build a nice rivalry. Carlos will be the top seed at Roland Garros, with Novak likely to meet him in the final if they both bring their A-game to the French capital.
The Spaniard missed a couple of months at the end of 2022 and the start of the current season, and the Serb regained the ATP throne following his tenth Australian Open crown. Novak skipped Indian Wells and Miami, and Carlos became world no.
1 for the second time following the Indian Wells crown. The young gun failed to defend the title in Miami, and Djokovic passed him again to extend his run toward 400 weeks as world no. 1. Carlos did an excellent job in the last couple of weeks, keeping 1500 ATP points in Barcelona and Madrid and securing the no.
1 position ahead of Roland Garros. Alcaraz defended his title in Caja Magica following a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory over a lucky loser Jan-Lennard Struff in two hours and 25 minutes.
Carlos Alcaraz praised Novak Djokovic and their rivalry.
The home favorite did not play at his best, but it was enough to overpower an aggressive rival and give the crowd something to cheer about.
Alcaraz secured his tenth ATP title and became the second player with back-to-back Caja Magica crowns after his great compatriot Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard served at 70% and played better behind the second serve. He denied six out of eight break points and secured three return games from 11 opportunities, enough to carry him home.
Carlos will seek his fifth Masters 1000 crown in Rome, hungry for more success ahead of the season’s second Major. “Novak said I deserve to be world no. 1, and it’s wonderful to hear. We have a nice rivalry, and I hope to continue.
I will become world no. 1 again after Rome, but nothing changes. I will do everything as before, working hard and controlling my emotions while facing my rivals,” Carlos Alcaraz said.
