Carlos Alcaraz possesses a bit of Novak Djokovic's winning mentality, says sports journalist
Carlos Alcaraz reclaimed the top spot in the ATP singles rankings despite suffering an early exit at the 2023 Italian Open. The Spaniard replaced serial winner Novak Djokovic at the top spot and will be seeded first at the upcoming French Open, his first time being the top seed at a Grand Slam.
The reigning US Open winner won his fourth ATP singles title of the season in Madrid earlier this month. After being sidelined for months following his injury at the Paris Masters last year, Alcaraz returned to the tour in February at the Argentina Open, which he won. Since then, the World No. 1 has reached four tournament finals and won three.
Djokovic, on the other hand, won his 10th Australian Open title in January and was forced to miss the Sunshine Double due to his unvaccinated status. However, the 36-year-old has had a rough start to the clay court season, as his best result stands at reaching the quarterfinals twice (Italian Open and Srpska Open).
Appearing on Tennis Channel's Inside In podcast, sports journalist and blogger Eric Hubbs reflected on the exciting rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. Elaborating further, he stated that the duo should try to avoid injuries as they need to play each other very soon as that's the "real test."
Everyone just bubble wrap each other, no one get sick or hurt or whatever, they need to face each other. That's the real test. If Carlos had his injuries, didn't play the Australian Open, then a little bit after that, so I wanna see them play each other,"
Hubbs also highlighted the Spaniard's current form by touching upon his title-winning run at the Madrid Open.
"But man, what it takes to beat him, and honestly, I get to feel like you have the chance to do it in a best of three sets, like up until the final, no one even took a set off the kid, and he is just getting better and better with more experience and stronger, health is the only thing that is going to stop him," Hubbs said.
Hubbs continued by saying that it is very tough to beat Djokovic at a Grand Slam because five sets give him greater chances to stage a comeback.
"But once you go to the Slams where it's the best of five sets even if you are up 2-0 it is so hard, it is the classic Novak, he will just do his thing, once he gets that little momentum there's nothing you can do."
He further complimented the 22-time Grand Slam winner's mentality. Hubbs also added that Carlos Alcaraz shares a similar kind of mentality needed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
"I respect so much his mental game, Carlos has a bit of that, Carlos has that ability to flip the switch and once it is switched there's no chance of beating him," Hubbs added.
Carlos Alcaraz faced Novak Djokovic at Madrid Open 2022
During his career, Carlos Alcaraz has faced Novak Djokovic only once, at the 2022 Madrid Open.
In the quarterfinals of the campaign, Alcaraz beat Rafael Nadal to set up a clash with the Serb in the semifinals. Up against the veteran, the young Spaniard beat Djokovic to make it to the final of the 2022 Madrid Open, becoming the first player ever to beat Djokovic and Nadal at the same clay event.
In the summit clash, Carlos Alcaraz beat Alexander Zverev to win the title, which he proceeded to defend in 2023 by beating Jan-Lennard Struff in the final.