TennisNH

In Draw With Djokovic For First Time In 2023, Alcaraz Says Biggest Rival Is Himself

12-May-2023 15:41:00 | ATP World Tour

The rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic has played out at the top of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings this season, with the pair jockeying for World No. 1 throughout 2023. The 20-year-old Alcaraz began the year at the pinnacle of the men's game and has since traded the top spot with Djokovic, with each man enjoying two separate stints as No. 1. 

Alcaraz will reclaim the honour from the Serbian in the next edition of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings by simply taking the court on Saturday for his Internazionali BNL d'Italia debut against fellow Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas. But after months of back-and-forth drama, Alcaraz and Djokovic could meet on the court for the first time this year during the Rome ATP Masters 1000.

"Being in the same tournament with Novak is great, having him here and learning from him," Alcaraz said, after injuries for both men prevented them from being in the same draw previously this season. "It's always good having the best tennis players in the world in the tournament. It's great. I hope to meet him in the final.