Alcaraz Points To Djokovic As Main Rival On Clay
ATPSaturday, 22 April 2023 at 13:50
Updated at Saturday, 22 April 2023 at 13:13
Carlos Alcaraz deems Novak Djokovic still the biggest rival for the clay season despite the Serbian's struggles on the surface.
Novak Djokovic hasn't been striking fear into anyone with his clay performances in the past two weeks as he found himself on the losing side of two matchups against players that are generally not on his level. It's not unheard of that he takes a while to fully play himself into great shape on clay yet there are accompanying factors that make this somewhat unique.
He's dealing with an elbow injury that can be problematic for a tennis player. Tsitsipas struggled with one earlier this year and Djokovic himself had one many years ago which caused him to play some of his worst tennis ever. In spite of all of that, Alcaraz still deems Djokovic the biggest problem for him on clay because he's Djokovic.
I couldn't tell you if he is the biggest rival, because in the end there are players who play very well on the ground and who are great players on the ground. Djokovic is Djokovic even though he lost in the round of 16 in Monte Carlo and the quarterfinals in Banja Luka: he can reach Madrid and win it, he can get to Rome and win, so we have him there as the main rival, but obviously there are great players who are up to Nole on clay.
Alcaraz himself has been playing pretty okay in Barcelona so far reaching the semi-final which will happen later today. It's not as high of a level as last year but he's getting it done that's what matters. Barcelona could be the first event in his career which he successfully defends after failing to do that earlier in Rio and Miami. The added pressure is something he feels helps him become the best.
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