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After Carlos Alcaraz successfully defended his Madrid Open title, the tennis world seemed united behind one narrative – that he was the overwhelming favorite to win the French Open.
However, this view ignores the fact that his two biggest rivals will not be able to take him on in 2023.
Alcaraz’s rise to the top of the ATP rankings will be confirmed after next week’s Italian Open and the Spaniard will no doubt have two big questions to answer as he heads into his second season on tour as an in-form player.
The teenager has yet to beat Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic in a best-of-five Grand Slam match, so those eager to crown him as the new king of tennis should be wary.
It would be disrespectful to Djokovic and Nadal to declare their tenures over before they have a chance to take on a player who looks ready to take their place.
So while there may be major doubts ahead for the 22-time major champion to return to his best form at the French Open, such comments suggest that 18-time Grand Slam legend Chris Evert has something in his game. The living legends of the game are writing a little faster.
«When I look at Novak and Rafa, there are question marks about their health,» Evert said at the Eurosport event.
“These two have been great clay court players for the past few years, but as they get older, they’re going to hurt a bit and we don’t know what their level will be.
“So I think Alcaraz is nominated for this title at the French Open.
“Like everyone else, I’m jumping with Carlos because we haven’t seen a player with so much passion and so much hunger in a long time.
«The guy has it all; the athleticism, the skill, he knows defense, he knows offense and he has no weaknesses.
«For me, if he himself is healthy and hungry, I think the title is his (in Paris).
“If Novak and Rafa hadn’t been injured, I would have had a different view and I wouldn’t have ruled Rafa out of winning the French Open at 80!
«So I don’t dismiss them, but I feel their preparation is not good, but Novak and Rafa have great experience.
«They know better than anyone how to go about their careers and how to control their emotions. They love swimmers more than anyone else.»
You can get out of the starting gate playing vintage tennis, but you have to back Alcaraz a bit on current form.
As much as we all love the game, Evert has fallen short of US Open champion Alcaraz, but we’re all looking forward to the first showdown between world No. 1 Djokovic and his successor. The guard can reach.
Novak will return to action at the Italian Open in the coming days, and if his elbow problem heals sufficiently, he will have all the motivation he needs to knock Alcaraz out of the woods.
The great champions never know when they are beaten and Djokovic will be eager to prove as much if he gets the chance to play at Rome’s Alcaraz.
Then, with the French Open showdown everyone in tennis is hoping for, we’ll get the answers to the questions everyone in tennis is asking right now.
Read more: Novak Djokovic has given a big hint that the nightmare of the injury may be over
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