Novak Djokovic was a part of Team Europe during the fifth Laver Cup last weekend in London. Novak won two matches on Saturday before losing one of the crucial encounters to Felix Auger-Aliassime on the final day. Asked about Carlos Alcaraz, Novak praised the US Open winner and the youngest world no.1 in ATP history.
Djokovic mentioned Alcaraz’s achievements, calling them fantastic and labeling the 19-year-old as a great addition to our sport. Carlos became the most successful teenager since Rafael Nadal, already winning a Major and two Masters 1000 titles.
The young gun had notable results in 2021 and reached the verge of the top-30 at 18. He suffered a tight Australian Open loss to Matteo Berrettini at the start of 2022 before conquering the ATP 500 event in Rio de Janeiro, becoming the youngster ATP 500 champion since 2009.
Carlos lost the Indian Wells semi-final to Rafa after a fantastic battle that lasted over three hours. A teenager bounced back in Miami and lifted the trophy to become the third-youngest Masters 1000 champion! The young Spaniard lifted the trophy in Barcelona at the end of April for 500 points on his tally and a place in the top-10.
Not stopping there, Alcaraz defeated Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev en route to his second Masters 1000 title within a month and a half in Madrid.
Novak Djokovic said nice words about Carlos Alcaraz in London.
Carlos became the ATP Race leader contender and added more points with the quarter-final run at Roland Garros.
Alcaraz lost two ATP finals in Hamburg and Umag on clay and traveled to New York as one of the favorites. Carlos was world no. 4 ahead of the US Open and had a chance to become the youngest world no. 1 in ATP history with a good result.
Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev fell in the fourth round and left the door wide open for Alcaraz and Casper Ruud. The mentioned players met in the final, battling for the first Major title and the ATP throne. Carlos scored a 6-4, 2-6, 7-6, 6-3 win in three hours and 20 minutes for a career-best result and a place in history.
At 19 years and four months, Alcaraz became the first teenager on the ATP throne. Carlos and Novak could meet in Nur-Sultan next week, with both entering the ATP 500 event. “Carlos Alcaraz won the US Open in incredible fashion.
He became world no. 1 at such a young age, which is quite impressive. Carlos is a great addition to our sport,” Novak Djokovic said.
