When Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal stepped away from the game, it marked the end of a golden chapter in men’s tennis. With Novak Djokovic still holding the fort, the sport found itself in need of a worthy heir to carry forward the legacy. Enter Carlos Alcaraz—the 21-year-old Spaniard who has already broken records, sparked rivalries, and stirred comparisons with the very players whose era he’s succeeding. Ironically, his growing rivalry with Djokovic has become one of the most anticipated narratives on tour. Now, a prominent voice in tennis media is highlighting the key similarities and differences between Alcaraz and the big three!

Coming off his maiden title in Monte Carlo, Alcaraz had all the momentum heading into the Barcelona Open. He looked unstoppable. He hadn’t dropped a set through the tournament and had brushed aside Arthur Fils and Alex De Minaur in impressive straight-set victories. A follow-up title seemed likely. But on Sunday, Holger Rune had other plans. The Dane denied Alcaraz a back-to-back win with a 7-6, 6-2 victory in the final. This result had historical weight. Rafael Nadal, a record 22-time Grand Slam champion, remains the last man to achieve the Monte Carlo-Barcelona double. He’s done it a staggering ten times!

Naturally, comparisons begin to creep in. And recently, a renowned journalist weighed in on what separates Alcaraz from the legends. On the Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, Caitlin Thompson, founder of Racquet Magazine, offered an honest assessment.

She said, “And I think that’s sort of one of the things that’s so endearing, I think, about Carlos Alcaraz, which everyone loves it. I mean, he moves feathery light like Federer. He’s got the battle intensity of Nadal. He’s got the flexibility of Djokovic. He really does have all the tools. But the one thing he’s missing, and this he could really learn from Djokovic, is the mental fortitude and the ability to stay disciplined and stay in, because he certainly does not have that. And it doesn’t show in every match because he’s so good, and he’s so fun. But in a match like this, where it actually comes down to a tie break and a few points and a few choices, he’s taking mental vacations.”

That’s where Djokovic stands out. His mental strength isn’t a fluke. It’s a skill built over time through mindfulness, breathing techniques, and sheer discipline. The Serb has built his reputation on staying calm in chaos, stepping up in high-pressure moments, and bouncing back after setbacks.

One of those defining moments came at the Paris Olympics. In a thrilling final against Alcaraz, Djokovic clinched the gold medal for Serbia—his longtime dream. That title marked his 99th career trophy and yet another reminder of how he thrives when the stakes are at their highest. Now, Djokovic is chasing history again. With 99 titles under his belt, he’s just one short of joining an elite club. Only two men have crossed the 100-title mark—Roger Federer with 103 and Jimmy Connors with 109. Djokovic is next in line. And his next stop? The Madrid Open. But guess who is standing in his way again?

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz fall in the same side of the draw again

Few would expect a rivalry between a 21-year-old and a 37-year-old to be this exciting. Their most recent encounter came at the Australian Open quarterfinals earlier this year. Djokovic won that one in four sets, taking the head-to-head lead to 5-3. Unfortunately, his tournament ended in the next round after he was forced to retire in the semis against Alexander Zverev due to a muscle tear.

But they were on the same side of the draw in a couple of tournaments, with the most recent being the Monte Carlo Masters. However, that matchup didn’t materialize. Djokovic exited early at Monte Carlo, losing to Alejandro Tabilo in the opening round. Meanwhile, Alcaraz capitalized and lifted the trophy.

Interestingly, Madrid might set the stage for another Alcaraz-Djokovic showdown. The two are drawn in the same half and could potentially meet in the semifinals. It’s a fitting battleground. After all, this is where their rivalry officially took off. Back in 2022, they faced each other in the semis, with Alcaraz coming through in a three-set thriller en route to winning his first title on home soil.

Alcaraz begins his campaign against either Zizou Bergs or Yoshihito Nishioka in the second round. Djokovic, meanwhile, will face a qualifier or Matteo Arnaldi. Both men know what’s at stake. And tennis fans are watching closely as the baton continues to pass from one generation to the next. Who will come out on top if the two collide once again in Madrid?