"Djokovic still the best player in the world" - Murray on the rise of youngsters in 2022
ATP
Andy Murray thinks Novak Djokovic is still the best player in the world despite the breakthrough of the likes of Carlos Alcaraz.
The 2022 season was a season when some of the young and talented players got to show their skills. Alcaraz won the Miami Open and the Madrid Open before lifting his maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open.
Jannik Sinner reached the quarter-finals at three of the four Grand Slam tournaments, and Holger Rune managed to win a couple of tournaments, too.
At the same time, one player missed a lot of the tournaments. Djokovic wasn't allowed to play in Australia, Canada, and the United States, which prevented him from competing at two Grand Slams and four ATP Masters 1000 events.
That's also one of the reasons why Murray still thinks that Djokovic is the best player in the world. The British player spoke to Eurosport and explained that the results of the young generation have been amplified by Djokovic's absence.
"I think what Alcaraz has done this year has been special. I think also, what's happened in the last few years - and yes, there is always going to be a time when a generation passes or comes to the end of their career - but some of the results have been aided by Novak not being able to play in Australia this year."
"He didn't play at the US Open either and arguably is still the best player in the world. And I think that has also influenced some of the results a little bit."
At the same time, Murray is aware that with the older players getting older, and young players getting older and more experienced as well, the changing of the guards will eventually happen.
"The best guys are getting older and are playing much less. They're not competing in all of the tournaments and it's giving opportunities now for all of the other players."
