We were denied the chance to see these two gladiators clash at the Australian Open in January as Alcaraz pulled out of that event due to injury. Then Djokovic’s absence from the Indian Wells and Miami Masters tournaments in March, due of his Covid vaccine status, halted anther possible meeting between the ‘big two’ in tennis. Now we get the match that could see the end of Djokovic’s reign as the king of tennis, or maybe the passport to his record breaking 23rd Grand Slam title.
WHO IS IN FORM?
Alcaraz is the man to beat in tennis right now. The 20-year-old Spaniard won tournaments in Barcelona and Madrid ahead of Roland Garros on clay and he has been in sensational form in Paris.
Meanwhile, Djokovic went into this Grand Slam event with doubts over his form and fitness as he was carrying an elbow injury, but he has risen to the occasion once again on the Grand Slam stage.
Alcaraz won the only meeting between these two great champions in Madrid last year, but this is their first best-of-five-set battle.
THE KEY POINTS
Mentality – Djokovic has shown time and again that he is the man to beat in a best-of-five-set contest. He needs just one more Grand Slam title to overtake Rafael Nadal and leap to the top of the list that will define who is the greatest tennis player of all-time and that additional motivation will add fuel to his fire in this match.
Variety – Alcaraz has taken the drop-shot to a new level on a clay court. With so many players standing deep behind the baseline in the modern game, the drop shot is a potent weapon and Alcaraz is certain to test 36-year-old Djokovic’s staying power by making him cover every inch of the court in this semi-final.
ALCARAZ SAYS
“Since last year I really wanted to play again against Novak. We both are playing at a great level, and as I said before, if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. So I’m really looking for that match. I’m going to enjoy it.”
DJOKOVIC SAYS
“Carlos carries himself very well. No doubt a very nice guy on and off the court. He brings a lot of intensity on the court and reminds me of someone from his country that plays with a left hand (Rafael Nadal). He deserves his success, no doubt. He’s working hard, and he’s a very complete player already and only age 20. I’m looking forward to this match.”
EXPERT VERDICTS
John McEnroe (seven-time Grand Slam singles champion): “It’s super exciting. Alcaraz is so electric and Djokovic is the most technically sound player. He rises to the occasion and gets inspired when someone might have written him off or when he has a chance to make another amazing record. No one is writing him off, I can assure you.”
Mats Wilander (seven-time Grand Slam singles champion): “Carlos Alcaraz has lit the professional tennis world on fire. People are talking about him more and more. Tactically he has been incredible without losing his identity on the tennis court. Sitting watching him live is incredible. He comes from nowhere and smacks the forehand so hard that it’s nearly a lack of respect for the game itself. I actually can’t believe he said his confidence is very high, that’s incredible. Physically Novak is a genius but the speed Carlos has around the court is maybe even a little bit too much for Novak.”
ALL COURT TENNIS CLUB PREDICTION – Djokovic to win in five sets
Never write off the great champions until they have been beaten in a match that really matters.
That’s a message those backing Alcaraz to beat Djokovic need to follow, as the great Serbian will be inspired by the prospect of his reign as the king of tennis coming to an end.
There is no doubt that Alcaraz is his likely successor as the ultimate champion, but Djokovic is chasing his record 23rd Grand Slam and he won’t want his era to end just yet.
