New world No1 Alcaraz fires warning to Djokovic forward of Wimbledon
In solely his eleventh profession match on the floor, the 20-year-old beat Alex di Minaur 6-4, 6-4 to win the Queen’s title yesterday and change Djokovic as world No1 only a week forward of Wimbledon.
Djokovic stays the overwhelming favorite for a record-equalling eighth title at SW19 however Alcaraz, who previous to Queen’s stated he had no expectations on grass this summer season, stated he would even be in rivalry.
“I go into Wimbledon right now with a lot of confidence, that’s obvious,” stated the Spaniard. “I ended the week playing at a high level. So, right now I feel one of the favourites to win Wimbledon.
‘It felt great to lift this trophy’ – Alcaraz after winning at Queens
“Honestly, I have to get more experience on grass. Even if I win the title, I just played 11 matches in my career on grass so I have to get more experience, more hours. But obviously after beating amazing guys, great players and the level that I played, I consider myself one of the favourites or one of the players to be able to win Wimbledon.”
Djokovic is unbeaten at Wimbledon since retiring injured towards Tom Berdych again in 2017 and is bidding for a fifth straight title at SW19.
The Serbian is nearly an evens favorite to win when the match will get underway subsequent week to increase his grand slam singles titles to 24.
But Alcaraz is now the clear second favorite with bookmakers at an occasion the place he boasts simply 4 wins in two earlier appearances.
Of his prospects of toppling Djokovic, he stated: “I saw a statistic that Novak has won more matches in Wimbledon than the other top 10 players. I saw as well that he has never lost a match on Centre Court since I think 2013 when he lost against Andy. Novak is the favourite to win Wimbledon, that’s obvious.
Novak Djokovic remains the clear favourite to win another SW19 title
/ Getty Images“But I will try to play at this level, to have chances to beat him or make the final at Wimbledon. I will have my chances that’s for sure.”
Alcaraz did effectively to win his opening-round match at Queen’s towards Arthur Rinderknech, coming from a set right down to edge it 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 and afterwards admitted he was struggling to familiarize yourself with the floor and subsequently had no expectations for the grass-court swing.
Following his title win, he stated: “I see myself with a lot of weapons on grass. I try to hit big shots all the time. I think I improved my serve really well. With the forehand, I try to dominate all the time. I consider myself a good player on grass with all the weapons that I have.”