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<\/p>\nFormer\u00a0British\u00a0star Greg Rusedski claims that “all the players” believe that\u00a0Novak Djokovic\u00a0has been the best player in male tennis this year, despite the continued emergence of Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz\u00a0at the top of the game. The\u00a01997 US Open runner-up’s comments come despite both players having claimed the top spot for 15 weeks this year, although Djokovic has added three more Grand Slam crowns to Alcaraz’s solitary major in 2023.<\/p>\n
Alcaraz and Djokovic have wrestled for the top spot ever since the Spaniard\u00a0claimed his first World No. 1 ranking last year. At just\u00a019 years, 4 months and 7 days old Alcaraz\u00a0became the youngest male tennis player to achieve the feat\u00a0after defeating\u00a0Casper Ruud to\u00a0win the 2022 US Open.<\/p>\n
Djokovic returned to top spot after his win over Daniil Medvedev at the US Open in September, continuing the back and forth struggle between the two player at the very top of their game.<\/p>\n
Alcaraz won in Indian Wells, Miami and Rome, as well as his first Wimbledon title, while Djokovic reached all four major finals winning the Australian Open, French Open and at Flushing Meadows – the last of which saw him return to the top of the rankings as well as onto 23 Grand Slam singles titles.<\/p>\n
And according to Rusedski while there may be a debate to be had, many of the players believe that the Serbian carries the honour.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s be honest, he [Alcaraz] was World No. 1 for most of this year but all the players still think Novak is No. 1,”\u00a0he said\u00a0speaking on an episode of the\u00a0Tennis Channel Inside-In\u00a0podcast.<\/p>\n
“Because he [Djokovic] wasn\u2019t allowed to play the Indian Wells, Miami, all the majors he missed as well because of his stance that he had with Covid as well, not getting vaccinated.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you gotta look at all those things that were around the whole situation for Novak. I think Novak felt he was No. 1 even though the ranking didn\u2019t say so.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rusedski went on to add just how important Djokovic\u2019s win over Alcaraz in the\u00a0Cincinnati final was, coming so close to the US Open success and not long after Alcaraz had won an epic Wimbledon final against his older rival. \u201cHe was struggling with heat strokes during that match because it was really hot in Cincinnati,” he added.<\/p>\n
Don’t miss… <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n “He knows how to manage those situations, took a little more time, had the trainer come out, won that second set, and then all of a sudden, he pushed his win to the third set. Novak knew how to handle bigger situations.<\/p>\n “That was the defining match that got him to win the US Open. Novak will be very pleased about 3-4 majors this year and number 24. But also, coming up next year he\u2019s got the Australian Open, his most successful major, so I have a feeling 25-26 is in store for next year at least.\u201d<\/p>\n Djokovic currently has the World No. 1 spot with 11,795 points this year, with Alcaraz on 8,535. Djokovic also leads the year long race standings, with Alcaraz – unsurprisingly – in second spot.<\/p>\n
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