Maybe he was secretly hoping for surprises in the semi-finals of the Australian Open. Maybe he was afraid. Maybe he just made peace. Carlos Alcaraz handed over the tennis throne because after 20 weeks – on Sunday not before 9:30 a.m. we will witness the coronation of the new world number 1 of men’s tennis.
The moment when Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic reached the final of the first Grand Slam of the season, the tennis reign of the teenager from Murcia ended.
Alcaraz, let’s recall, withdrew from the Australian Open due to an injury, and the only “scenario” that suited him was that neither Djokovic nor Tsitsipas make it to the finals, because in the event of winning the tournament, that would bring them first place in the ATP rankings.
Oh, how fate played with Carlitos – these two, in a mutual duel, will bring us a new “king of white sports”.
Well, that’s why Alcaraz is the biggest loser of this year’s tournament in Melbourne.
Let’s be honest though, for all his qualities his 20 weeks at the top of tennis was a gift.
If Novak had not been deported from Australia at the beginning of the year, if he had not lost the opportunity to fight for more than eight thousand ATP points, missed five Masters tournaments in the year… Alcaraz would hardly have become the youngest world number one in history.
On the other hand, he showed what none of the up-and-coming aces have – the ability to seize the opportunity that was presented to him.
By winning his first Grand Slam title at the US Open, he grabbed the chance that was presented to him, and considering his age (he is only 19), we have no doubt that one day he will return to the top of the ATP list.
All in all, the king is dead – long live the king!
And we will find out tomorrow who will be the new ruler of tennis.
If it is Djokovic, she will begin 374 weeks at the top and will certainly reach and overtake the record of Steffi Graf, who was at the top of women’s tennis for 377 weeks. Along the way, he would reach his 10th title in Melbourne, the 22nd Grand Slam title of his career.
If it turns out to be Tsitsipas, he will debut in the first position and thus become the 29th tennis player in history to do so.
Well, that’s why Alcaras is the biggest loser of this year’s tournament in Melbourne.
