Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas could overtake Carlos Alcaraz as World No. 1 at the 2023 Australian Open. The Spaniard said they deserved first place for their great exploits.
Djokovic and Tsitsipas might become ATP World No. 1 if they win the Melbourne Grand Slam. The Greek has reached the semifinals while the Serb has still to play his quarterfinal. Alcaraz’s rating is at jeopardy as both players compete for the championship.
The reigning US Open champion respects his opponents’ power. He believes they “deserve” to be champions.
“Watching Djokovic and Tsitsipas doesn’t scare me. Either of them must be champion to take my number one spot, and if they do, it will be because they deserve it more than me “declared the 19-year-old at Laureles awards.
The World No. 1 remains upbeat despite early season struggles and missing the Australian Open. Alcaraz says the injury hiatus allowed him to develop his game.
“I am watching the Australian Open from home and it is hard because I think that I should be there, but I am a positive guy and I think that this break is beneficial for me to realise some things that I could do better on and off the court,” he said.
Novak Djokovic vs. Andrey Rublev in Australian Open quarterfinals
Novak Djokovic will play World No. 6 Andrey Rublev in the 2023 Australian Open quarterfinals at Rod Laver Arena on January 25.
Djokovic might return to the top of the ATP rankings. To maintain his aspirations, he must overcome an in-form Rublev. The Serb leads the Russian 2-1 in their three previous meetings.
They met at the 2021 ATP Finals. The 21-time Grand Slam champion won in straight sets that night. In the Serbia Open final, the Russian defeated the 35-year-old. 2022 ATP Finals was their last match. As in Italy a year earlier, the Serb defeated Rublev in straight sets.
