Novak Djokovic could lead Carlos Alcaraz 4-3 in conferences however the rivalry is already one for the ages, with two generations colliding and constructing to a crescendo. Will they meet at this yr’s US Open?
From their first conflict on the 2022 Madrid Open to their most up-to-date encounter at this summer time’s Olympics, the pair have delivered tennis from one other planet.
Djokovic accomplished a profession Golden Grand Slam in Paris, the place he gained Wimbledon revenge by defeating Alcaraz within the gold medal match.
However will we see them battle it out for supremacy in New York? You’ll be able to watch all of the drama unfold dwell on Sky Sports activities Tennis from Monday, August 26 from 3pm.
Novak Djokovic is relishing his rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz
Naomi Broady: A number of respect between Novak and Alcaraz
Alcaraz and Djokovic have been joined by Jannik Sinner to change into the brand new ‘Massive Three’ in males’s tennis
“I feel you would need to say the US Open winner will come from Sinner, Alcaraz and Djokovic. They’ve change into the present huge three with the previous guard stepping away from the game, however Novak is continuous with the brand new technology with two new guys in his place, however you must say winner will come from these three.
“They can not all make it by to the ultimate so the draw could have all eyes on it as a result of it may probably influence the winner of the entire match.
“I feel Carlos and Novak actually respect one another and I feel they actually like one another as properly. Novak all the time appears to have a smile on his face as a result of he actually respects him as a competitor and as an athlete.
“Alcaraz has seen the blueprint of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic and added it to his recreation so I feel it is very nice to see how a lot respect he has for Novak. How extremely they converse of one another however they like to play one another.”
Tim Henman: Olympics was Djokovic’s biggest achievement
Djokovic will likely be aiming to win his twenty fifth Grand Slam on the US Open
“The Olympics last was Djokovic’s biggest achievement due to the circumstances. It was the one piece of the puzzle that was lacking and on the age of 37 this was his final probability.
“He entire form of psychology and the strain round it, it will need to have been completely immense after which add the truth that he is taking part in Alcaraz, who’s on the high of his recreation having received the French Open and Wimbledon, so for Djokovic to come back by and win that was completely unbelievable.
“There was a query mark over his knee going into the Olympics and it seemed like he was attempting to maintain the rallies brief. He was coming to the online loads and that was going away from his recreation type that had been so efficient all through his entire profession, so I feel he’ll be pleased going again onto hardcourts which is a floor he is had most success on on the Australian and US Opens.”
Jonathan Overend: A actual heavyweight rivalry
The pair have developed fairly a rivalry lately
“The sensation in Paris was very very similar to he’d accomplished tennis… that was the set, all of the slams a number of instances, the Davis Cup and now Olympic gold. And to do it in opposition to Alcaraz, the younger pretender, the best way he did, I believed it was phenomenal from Novak.
“He continues to shock, and whereas he’s doing that, something stays potential. That mentioned, I all the time assume he is obtained a mic drop second in him [to retire], and that could be when he will get to 25 Grand Slams to say the all-time file, one forward of Margaret Courtroom.”
Highlights of final yr’s US Open last between Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic at Flushing Meadows in New York
Naomi Cavaday: Each gamers on a excessive heading to New York
Djokovic has 24 Grand Slams however now he is focusing on an historic twenty fifth
“Carlos has received two Grand Slams this yr, whereas Djokovic the gold medal on the Olympics – such an enormous prize for him, and the ultimate in opposition to Alcaraz was fairly particular.
“The Wimbledon last between the pair was checked out as being fairly one-sided, Djokovic wasn’t in it and it was on grass. However individuals overlook that he had surgical procedure only a couple weeks earlier than… so he was nonetheless doing unbelievable issues on the courtroom.
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“Then, going into the Olympics, he was talking actually confidently, saying ‘I am a unique participant’. And he manages to win… so each gamers are using fairly excessive going into the US Open.”
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