‘Can’t wait’: Carlos Alcaraz in huge update amid Novak Djokovic drama
Sports Reporter
Thu, 26 Oct 2023·3-min read
Carlos Alcaraz speaks and Alcaraz embraces Novak Djokovic.
Carlos Alcaraz (pictured left) is set to play in both Paris and Turin in what could be a showdown with Novak Djokovic for the year-end World No.1 position. (Getty Images) More
Carlos Alcaraz has delivered good news for tennis fans having announced he will line-up in both Paris and Turin in a final showdown with Novak Djokovic for the year-end No.1 position. Alcaraz has been struggling of late as he withdrew from the Swiss Indoors tournament due to a left foot injury.
This put his participation in the two big year-end events in major doubt. This comes as the 21-year-old Spaniard attempts to regain the World No.1 ranking of Novak Djokovic.
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His shock loss to Grigor Dimitrov in Shanghai left him with a big uphill battle to retain the World No.1 ranking and secure the year-end No.1 title. Djokovic was taking a break after his US Open triumph, before taking part in the Davis Cup win over Spain.
However, his absence from the tour means he won’t gain ranking points until Bercy in Paris and Turin. Djokovic has a 500 point lead over Alcaraz heading into the two big tournaments. There there is a total of 2,500 points available and the Spaniard has the opportunity to surpass the Serbian with a win.
And Alcaraz has posted he would be taking part in the two events, which is a big boost for the tennis community. “I have good news. I am feeling better every day and I will play Paris-Bercy and be in Turin for the ATP Finals,” he wrote. “Excited to finish the year on a high.”
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This prompted plenty of support for the Spaniard as a potential showdown with Djokovic looms in either Paris or Turin between the world’s top two ranked players.
Novak Djokovic to defend World No.1 ranking
Alcaraz had the opportunity to gain ranking points on Djokovic at the China Open and in Shanghai. But the Spaniard lost to Jannik Sinner in the quarter-final in China and Dimitrov a stage earlier. Alcaraz was candid when asked about his chances of finishing year-end No.1. “After this loss, it’s going to be tougher,” the Spaniard said.
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“If I want to be No. 1, I have a few tournaments ahead so I will try to do my best. I will try to win them if I want to have a chance to end the year as No. 1. I don’t know, but right now I have a lost a lot of opportunities to make it.”
Djokovic made the Paris Masters finals last year, but lost to Holger Rune. He is a six-time winner of the ATP Finals and will be favourite once again.
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic embrace.
Carlos Alcaraz (pictured left) and Novak Djokovic (pictured right) could be set to face off in Paris or Turin. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) More
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