Patrick Mouratoglou believes Novak Djokovic will still add more Grand Slams to his trophy cabinet even with the emergence of Carlos Alcaraz as a direct competitor.
In the latest episode of Eye of the Coach, the renowned French coach doesn't think Alcaraz will stop Djokovic from winning more Grand Slams but adds that both players will win a fair share between them. Testament to his words, the last four Grand Slams have been won by the ATP's top two.
Mouratoglou goes on to make a bold claim that Alcaraz doesn't hold an edge over Djokovic, despite leading the head-to-head 2-1 and winning their high-stakes Wimbledon final in July, a result many in the tennis world felt signaled the changing of the guard.
Mouratoglou believes Djokovic is capable of going up a gear and playing much better than he did in the Wimbledon final defeat and says that both players are almost close equals in terms of level. That could make this year's US Open one of the most compelling in recent years.
"I don’t think Carlos has an edge on Novak. I think both players are very close in terms of level. I think Novak can play much better than he did in the Wimbledon final. I think he was very nervous. Will he (Alcaraz) prevent Novak from winning any (more) Grand Slams? I don’t think so. Will he take some and Novak takes some? I think so."
Playing for a place in tennis folklore weighed heavily on Djokovic's shoulders at this year's Wimbledon as Mouratoglou alludes. The Serbian star was aiming to equal Margaret Court's all-time Grand Slam record of 24 titles.
Despite the defeat, Djokovic could stand to gain from this rivalry against Alcaraz, according to Mouratoglou who reckons the favorite tag has been passed to the young Spaniard.
"I feel that being this ultimate favorite all the time and playing for history, it has to be a burden. So now in a way that Carlos is a favorite as well, Novak will feel more free the next time he plays him."
0 Comments