“It’s quite amazing what he has achieved” – Djokovic on Alcaraz

Djokovic was missing from the US Open as the Spanish teen went on to claim his first Grand Slam title in New York and climbed to the world No 1 ranking

Djokovic and Alcaraz at the 2022 Madrid Open Image Credit: AI/ Reuters/ Panoramic

Haresh Ramchandani

September 23, 2022

Novak Djokovic has complimented new US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz for winning his first Grand Slam singles title earlier this month and said that the Spanish teenager is a great star in the making.

Alcaraz won his first Major title in New York, beating Casper Ruud in four sets in the final. He also won three consecutive five-set matches in the fourth round, quarter-finals and semi-finals en route to the title.

Djokovic himself was missing from the tournament as he was not able to enter the United States on account of being unvaccinated.

“I congratulate (Carlos) Alcaraz for winning US Open. He did it in an incredible fashion, you know, in three or four five-setter matches in the tournament. He’s 19 years old and already No. 1 in the world. It’s quite amazing what he has achieved so far. He’s, I think, a great addition to our sport, a great star in making. Well, he’s already realized the Grand Slam champion, so we can’t speak about him as future, because he’s already a present.”

The two have met once on the ATP Tour so far, with Alcaraz winning their semi-final clash in Madrid in a three-set humdinger 6-7, 7-5, 7-6.

While Djokovic returns to the tour this week at the Laver Cup in London, Alcaraz, who is also the youngest player to become world No 1 in men’s tennis, is next scheduled to play at the ATP Astana Open in Nur-Sultan in the first week of October.

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