Eight-time Grand Slam winner Jimmy Connors said that the Novak Djokovic – Carlos Alcaraz rivalry is essential for the growth of tennis. He believes that Alcaraz chasing Djokovic will increase interest in the sport and lead to more people playing the game.
The history of tennis is filled with iconic rivalries that have kept viewers glued to the sport. The thrill of watching two players have a competition within themselves, constantly trying to one-up each other, is what has kept tennis popular. The developing Djokovic-Alcaraz rivalry is the latest addition to this long list.
Connors emphasized Novak Djokovic – Carlos Alcaraz rivalry’s importance
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz first faced each other in 2022, with Alcaraz upsetting the Serb at the Madrid Open. That was the beginning of an intense and high-quality rivalry. Djokovic then eliminated the Spaniard in the 2023 French Open. The latter got his revenge by defeating the 23-time Grand Slam winner in the 2023 Wimbledon final. The latest addition to their list of exciting duels was the epic Cincinnati Open final one week ago. Djokovic emerged on top to balance out the head-to-head after an incredible match, one for the ages.
Connors, on his podcast Advantage Connors, said that this rivalry is what tennis needs. He said that the sport needs a race to the top between a veteran like Djokovic and a young star like Alcaraz. The American legend added that this attracts not only fans who watch tennis but also those who want to play the game. He opined that fans will watch such a rivalry and take to courts trying to emulate the players.
“That’s what tennis needs. Tennis needs that. And to have Djokovic at 35-36 years old, still playing that kind of tennis and being followed closely, stalked, by a 20-year-old Alcaraz who wants to take his place and move him aside. Tennis needs that for the fans. For the people who not only wanna watch but go out and play every weekend or twice a week and try to figure how he hit that shot, how did he do that, how do I hit a forehand like that. That is what draws people to the game.”
Former World No.1 Connors’ is correct about how an intense rivalry draws people to the sport. After the final in Cincinnati, fans have been rooting for a repeat in the US Open final. Surely, the viewership will massively spike if the duo manage to make it to the championship match in New York.
Tennis is a sport of great rivalries
Tennis has always seen epic rivalries pitting two great players against each other. Clashes between two established rivals have the main event atmosphere, almost always drawing large viewership numbers. Connors himself had famous rivalries with Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, and Ivan Lendl, hence knows a thing or two about what iconic rivalries mean for the popularity of the sport.
A rivalry between two great players draws in casual fans as well. One may not know much about tennis but surely will have an idea of how epic the Roger Federer – Rafael Nadal duel has been over the years. Historically, rivalries like Borg – McEnroe, Steffi Graff – Monica Seles, Andre Agassi – Pete Sampras, etc., have been the matches that generate the most buzz among fans. Djokovic’s budding rivalry with Alcaraz may not be a long one, given the Serb is already 36. However, it definitely has all the makings of a memorable one.
