With less than three weeks to go for the year’s final Grand Slam, tension rises amongst the top players. Three events are left before the US Open, including two ATP Masters 1000. Carlos Alcaraz will begin his campaign in Toronto, while Novak Djokovic will start in Cincinnati later this week. Djokovic withdrew from Toronto due to fatigue and has not played the event in the last five years.
Djokovic is currently the only active player among the big three, with Rafael Nadal injured and Roger Federer retired. When asked about the US Open, the Serbian’s coach said, “Novak remains the only ‘dinosaur’ among those older ones; the rest are all young guys. It’s a normal sequence, but there’s still something to ask the elders.”
He added, “Alcaraz is a story by himself, and Sinner is the only one who can threaten him at the US Open, along with Novak. The game that Sinner has doesn’t match Alcaraz, and they have had very interesting matches so far.” Goran Ivanisevic has been coaching Djokovic since 2019.
This week’s top seeds in Toronto! 🇨🇦@NBOtoronto | #NBO23 pic.twitter.com/jmR5vlY8jX
— ATP Tour (@atptour) August 7, 2023
Ivanisevic also mentioned that Daniil Medvedev can pose a threat along with Djokovic and Sinner. The Croatian said, “Also if Medvedev plays well on the day, he is also a phenomenal player for me. There is no one who can stay in a long match with Alcaraz except Sinner and Djokovic. Those who cannot stay for long at Alcaraz’s pace can immediately pack their rackets and go home.” Medvedev and Jannik Sinner are currently in Toronto along with Alcaraz.
Carlos Alcaraz keeps the Wimbledon trophy close to him
Alcaraz won his second major title at Wimbledon last month. The 20-year-old, like every Wimbledon champion, received a replica as the original trophy is kept in a museum at SW19.
When asked where Carlos keeps his Wimbledon trophy, he replied, “I have the trophy in my living room over there so that every time that I have lunch, have dinner with my family, I see the trophy; it’s something that I don’t want to forget.” The world No.1 went on to play singles and doubles at the Hopman Cup.
Alcaraz did not celebrate much as he played four matches at the Hopman Cup. He registered victories against David Goffin and Borna Coric in singles. He partnered with Rebeka Masarova in doubles as the pair lost matches against Croatia and Belgium. Alcaraz did not need much practice. Even though the surface changed from grass to clay, the Spaniard quickly adapted to it.
A lifelong dream! 🏆💚 You always have to believe! I’m only 20 years old, everything is happening too fast, but I’m very proud of how we work every day. Thank you everyone for your support, from the bottom of my heart! 🙌🏻😍 @Wimbledon
📸 Getty pic.twitter.com/MsdjFqBhiO
— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) July 16, 2023
The US Open will see a lot of in-form players, and Djokovic will again lead the senior pack. Alcaraz will lead the current generation of players as Holger Rune and Jannik Sinner will challenge him. New York has the habit of making history, as we will see who it will favor this time.