Alcaraz bids to retain US Open crown and regain world number one status in New York
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Carlos Alcaraz looks to defend his US Open championship and enters the tournament as the World No. 1, the first time this has happened since 2019.
The Spanish tennis star sealed his status at the top when he defeated Novak Djokovic in a thrilling Wimbledon final.
However, on Monday he lost that status, following Djokovic’s straight-set victory against Alexandre Muller. Nevertheless, the Spanish player responded by beating Dominik Koepfer when the German player retired from the match.
“Right now, it’s a goal for me. I’ve said before that Novak [Djokovic] and I are having a big battle for number one,” Alcaraz said to media. “I knew he would get it back after the US Open.
“When the tournament is over I will try to get it back, as soon as possible, before the year is over. That’s my goal and I’m working for it.”
Djokovic is a long way clear of the third-ranked player, Daniil Medvedev, who trails them by over 3500 points, and will regain the world number one status following the US Open, when it becomes official.
What is at stake for the pair?
Alcaraz won the contest in 2022, whilst Djokovic did not compete due to his refusal to get vaccinated.
The Serbian aims to win a record-breaking 24th Grand Slam to surpass the total set by women’s player Serena Williams, whom he is tied with.
Djokovic faced the Spaniard Bernabe Zapata Miralles on Wednesday, whilst Alcaraz plays Lloyd Harris from South Africa on Thursday.
The pair’s contest for #1 status has swung back and forth in 2023, with the lead of the ATP Tour changing hands on no fewer than eight occasions, but now, Djokovic will take the spot back.
This is the final Grand Slam of the year. Djokovic won at the Australian and French Opens whilst Alcaraz claimed that famous Wimbledon win.
The Spanish player is bidding for his third Grand Slam, which would tie him level with players such as Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka and Bobby Riggs.
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