USA Today via Reuters
Apr 3, 2022; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) celebrates with the Butch Buchholz Championship Trophy after his match against Casper Ruud (NOR)(not pictured) in the men’s singles final in the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Apr 3, 2022; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) celebrates with the Butch Buchholz Championship Trophy after his match against Casper Ruud (NOR)(not pictured) in the men’s singles final in the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Carlos Alcaraz has taken massive strides this season. At only 18, the Spanish star has already made it to the elite group in men’s tennis. He has put on a consistent display across the tournaments this year. Further, he has won massive praises from across the tennis fraternity for his performance on the tennis court.
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Alcaraz began his season at the Australian Open, where he reached the third round, losing to Matteo Berrettini in a five-setter thriller. Subsequently, he won the ATP 500 Rio Open title, prevailing over Diego Schwartzman in the summit clash. Further, the 18-year-old has won titles in Miami and Barcelona. His amazing form has enabled him to enter the top-10 of the ATP rankings. He is currently stationed at the 9th spot on the ATP rankings chart.
Recently, he won praise from World Number 1, Novak Djokovic.
Novak Djokovic heaps praise on Carlos Alcaraz
The Serb is in Spain to participate at the Madrid Open. Further, during an interview, Djokovic revealed that Alcaraz has become his son’s favorite player, instead of Rafael Nadal. Such has been Alcaraz’s season, that he is often compared with his compatriot Nadal.
The caption of this post from Tennis Commentator Jose Morgado reads (via Google Translate), “Novak Djokovic, in perfect Spanish, says that Nadal is no longer his son’s favorite player.”
Djokovic says that Nadal is not his son's favorite player anymore. Now it's Alcaraz. https://t.co/ismuHPnQjM
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) May 2, 2022
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Meanwhile, Djokovic’s season has been in stark contrast to that of Alcaraz’s. He had a forgettable time in Australia and missed the Australian Open after his deportation from the country. Subsequently, he has played only three tournaments this season before his appearance in the Madrid Open.
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 12, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Novak Djokovic of Serbia smashes his racket after losing a point to Daniil Medvedev of Russia in the second set of the men’s singles final on day fourteen of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Djokovic has been in poor form this season, losing in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Further, he had a shocking second-round defeat at the Monte Carlo Masters. However, he made it to the finals of the Serbia Open, losing to Andrey Rublev in the summit clash.
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Djokovic, Alcaraz, and Nadal are on a collision course in Madrid. Alcaraz and Nadal could potentially set up a quarterfinal meeting at the Madrid Open. Subsequently, the winner of the match might face Djokovic for a place in the finals. It will be interesting to see who comes out on the top in this tournament.
