Carlos Alcaraz warned as Spaniard can overtake Novak Djokovic forward of Wimbledon
Carlos Alcaraz has acquired a warning from one among his previous junior companions forward of Queen’s. The world No 2 shall be making his debut at an ATP Tour occasion on the grass and is joined within the draw by Holger Rune. If Alcaraz wins the title he’ll overtake Novak Djokovic within the rankings to turn into the highest seed at Wimbledon.
But Alcaraz can have a troublesome job on his fingers with restricted grass-court expertise and a rival gunning to defeat him. Alcaraz and fellow-20-year-old Rune used to play doubles collectively of their junior days – together with on the well-known Les Petits As event in 2017.
At the tip of 2022 – whereas each nonetheless aged 19 – they grew to become the primary teenage duo contained in the ATP high 10 since Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray 15 years prior. Rune has beforehand spoken about their friendship however he’s now vying to defeat his previous companion as he admitted that everybody would ultimately lose.
Discussing their rivalry with El Pais, the world No 6 mentioned: “The junior rivalry with Carlos was great, we played very good games. And we get along, that’s right.
“We confront each other a lot and push ourselves to our limits, and that’s great, because it amuses people. He already knows, he is another one of those who fights until the end, and that makes everything more exciting.”
The pair have by no means accomplished an official match at tour stage regardless of being two of the most important younger stars. Alcaraz beat Rune within the group stage of the 2021 Next Gen Finals – performed with a distinct scoring format – and retired injured throughout their quarter-final conflict ultimately 12 months’s Paris Masters.
The pair will each be within the draw at Queen’s although, and Rune shall be hoping handy Alcaraz simply his fifth defeat of the season. Asked how he might cease the world No 2, the Dane mentioned: “He’s already lost a few games this year, so it’s possible to beat him, but it’s clearly going to be tough.”
And he had an ominous message for the Spaniard, claiming that he couldn’t hold profitable perpetually. He added: “Right now, Carlos is one of the most difficult players to beat; but, I insist, everyone is going to lose one day, so…”
The pair are the 2 highest-ranked gamers within the draw at Queen’s in order that they would be the high two seeds and received’t be capable to meet till the ultimate. Rune has by no means received an official match on grass – enjoying simply three in his younger profession – whereas Alcaraz has a 4-2 document on the floor.
But the Spaniard can have further motivation subsequent week as he can reclaim the world No 1 rating from Djokovic with a title win. Alcaraz is presently 420 rating factors behind the Serb and can earn an additional 500 with the trophy, whereas Djokovic has already confirmed that he received’t play a grass occasion forward of Wimbledon.