Carlos Alcaraz’s fantastic form in 2023 continued as the world number 1 beat Hubert Hurkacz to enter the final of the Cincinnati Masters. The Spaniard has a shot at adding another trophy to his already impressive trophy cabinet, but faces Novak Djokovic in the final. Djokovic has always been full of praise of his Spanish counterpart and even compared him to the greats of the past. The Serb had called Alcaraz ‘a mix of big three’, but the Spaniard does not ‘totally agree’ with that claim.
Alcaraz and Djokovic are the two best players in the world and are now seemingly always competing for major honors, titles and Grand Slams , in what is a budding rivalry between two players at different ends of their careers. Djokovic has had rivalries in the past with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer when he was a newcomer and his rivals were the established stars, but now it’s the other way round. Alcaraz is the young 20-year-old, new kid on the block, while Djokovic is the 23 times Grand Slam winner in the twilight of his career.
Carlos Alcaraz does not agree with Djokovic
After losing the Wimbledon final to Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic said that he was amazed by Alcaraz’s game and compared him to the ‘Big Three’. The Serb felt that the 20-year-old had the ‘best of all three worlds’, while comparing Alcaraz to himself, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
“I think people have been talking in the past 12 months or so about his game consisting of certain elements from Roger, Rafa, and myself. I would agree with that. He’s got basically the best of all three worlds.”
Alcaraz was quick to play down any comparisons and said he wants to follow his own path. The Spaniard admitted to be flattered by such compliments, but wants to be known as ‘full Carlos’ instead of being compared to others.
“I mean, it’s great, someone like Novak says these things about you. But I’m not totally agree ’cause I always say that I’m full Carlos Alcaraz. I didn’t put his styles like Rafa, like Roger, like Novak. I just try to follow my own path, try to create Carlos Alcaraz. I’m believing that I’m not the characteristics about anyone but Carlos Alcaraz.”
Another chapter in this new rivalry will be written at the Cincinnati Masters final when the duo is set to face off again. Djokovic will be eager to put this Wimbledon final lose behind him, while the Spaniard will look to extend his good run of form against the Serb.
Novak Djokovic is loving the rivalry
Ever since the draw for the Cincinnati Masters was out, all eyes were on Djokovic and Alcaraz meeting in the final. The world number 1 and 2 have safely made it to the finals and are set to face each other for the 4th time in their career. Alcaraz is leading 2-1 in head to heads against Djokovic but the Serb has said he is loving this new rivalry with the Spaniard.
In his post match press conference, Djokovic said he is loving the budding rivalry between him and the Spaniard. He also suggested that everyone wanted and was expecting to see the two reach and play in the final. This will be an intriguing match, not just because the two have played really high quality matches, but also because the result could be an indication of things to come. Especially with the US Open not too far away.
