When can Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz meet at US Open 2024? Checking out when the two will cross paths in New York
History is on the line for Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open 2024. The Serb is gunning for his record 25th Major title and 100th career title. He's also aiming to equal Roger Federer, Pete Sampras, and Jimmy Connors' haul of five titles at the venue.
As for Alcaraz, he's gunning to become the third man after Djokovic and Rafael Nadal to win a Major title on all three surfaces in a single season. The US Open draw was revealed on Thursday, and the two have been placed in opposite halves of the draw.
Thus, they can only meet in the championship round, which will take place on Sunday, September 8. The two of them have faced off twice this year. Alcaraz has won the last two Majors, and pipped Djokovic in straight sets in the Wimbledon final. The latter got his revenge a couple of weeks later at the Paris Olympics.
The duo contested the gold medal match at the quadrennial games, and the Serb came out on top to deny his younger rival the topmost honors. The triumph made him the second man to complete a Career Super Slam, with Andre Agassi being the only other male player to do so.
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz have to yet to meet at a hardcourt Major
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have yet to cross paths at either the US Open or the Australian Open. Three of their seven meetings have taken place at the Majors. The two have contested two matches at Wimbledon, and one at the French Open.
The duo have played only two of their seven matches on hardcourts, and both were won by the Serb. Their first hardcourt duel was for the Cincinnati Open title last year, and the 37-year-old saved a championship point to come out on top.
Their next encounter on hardcourts took place at the ATP Finals later that year, and the Serb won comfortably in straight sets this time. With the US Open predicted to have fast court conditions this year, Djokovic will be the favorite to win should they meet in the final.
Alcaraz won the US Open two years ago, his maiden Grand Slam triumph. Djokovic is a four-time champion at the venue, and he's aiming to win back-to-back titles here for the first time. Should he succeed in this endeavor, the French Open would remain the only Major where he didn't defend his title.