The number one in world tennis, Novak Djokovicthe young Spaniard declared this Wednesday in Belgrade Carlos Alcaraz (2) “brings a lot of fresh air” in professional tennis and play well on all surfaces.
“Alcaraz really deserved to be number one last year. He brings a lot of fresh air to professional tennis,” Djokovic told reporters after practice.
“I think he’s the youngest number one in history. I can only say the best things about him as a personality and as a tennis player. He is very explosive, dynamic, a tennis player without many disadvantages, he can play at a high level on all floors. And it continues to develop,” he said.
Djokovic, 35, said he was “happy” to reach the record, until now held by Steffi Graf, who spent 377 weeks at the top of the ATP rankings, which she will surpass next week. “This sport is everything to me, I put everything into it”declared the Serb.
He indicated that at his age he had to “Make more effortmentally, physically and emotionally, on the pitch and off it, to keep up with young players, challenging, eager to win trophies and in the best position in the world.”
Djokovic explained that he is almost fully recovered from the injury he suffered at the Australian Open in January, which is why he decided to travel tomorrow to the Dubai tournament that will be held from February 27 to March 4.
On the other hand, he made sure of that His big desire is to play his 60th match against Rafael Nadal “in the Roland Garros final.” “I think we would both agree on that,” he said, noting that Spanish is his “greatest rival, not just by number of rivalries”remembering that this is the rivalry with the most number of matches in the history of tennis.
“He is, along with Roger Federer, the player who has had the most influence on me.in my formation as a player that I am now”, declared Djokovic.
He explained that at the time of his rise to the ATP, between 2008 and 2011, when he still lost more duels against Nadal and Federer, they were his focus “like an enigma to solve and start winning big tournaments.”
“Nadal plays extraordinary tennis. When he is healthy and ready he is at the top. He and I as ‘grandparents’ are trying to stop the youngsters from still grabbing the Grand Slam titles,” Djokovic concluded with a laugh.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
