Carlos Alcaraz’s Perspective: Unraveling the Truth Behind Rafael Nadal’s Novak Djokovic Remark
Carlos Alcaraz recently shared his perspective on Rafael Nadal’s recent statement regarding Novak Djokovic, stirring up the tennis world with his candid insights.
Carlos Alcaraz was devastated to have to withdraw from the ongoing ATP Rio Open due to an ankle problem. Alcaraz informed followers on Instagram that he will be able to defend his Indian Wells championship despite having a grade II lateral sprain that would keep him out of action for a few days.
Alcaraz, who is now ranked second in the world, will return on March 3 to play Rafael Nadal in an exhibition match in Las Vegas. The Spaniard was recently questioned about Rafael Nadal’s claim that Novak Djokovic is the greatest tennis player in history during an interview with Marca.
“In my opinion, it is undeniable that he has better numbers than I have. After all, numbers are numbers, and statistics are statistics. I don’t have an ego large enough to try to hide a reality that isn’t beneath me. As stated by the veteran, Diario AS is accurate.
Alcaraz noted that Djokovic is the “greatest player in history” and has more statistical success than both Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer together. But the 20-year-old also believed that the greatest player in history isn’t determined by statistics.
“Everyone views the world in a different way. Some people believe Djokovic to be the greatest, while others believe Rafa or Federer to be the best. Rafa stated that Djokovic is the best in terms of numbers, and I agree.
Without a question, Djokovic is the greatest player in history when it comes to statistics. I believe that determining who is the best requires considerations beyond just statistics. All three are present, and in my opinion, they are the greatest,” he remarked.
Margaret Court held the record for the most single Majors (24) in history until 2023, when Djokovic surpassed her. This record also belongs to the Open Era. When he defeated Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final the previous year, he accomplished the feat.
Alcaraz, being injured, believes he will be prepared for his title defense at Indian Wells
Hurt For his title defense at Indian Wells, Alcaraz feels he’ll be prepared.
Second in the world Carlos Alcaraz will be out for “a few days” due to the ankle sprain that kept him out of the ATP Rio Open, but he will be back for his Indian Wells title defense following an exhibition match against Rafael Nadal in Las Vegas.
Alcaraz posted on Instagram, “I just had an MRI on my ankle after yesterday’s injury.” “My doctor and physiotherapist diagnosed me with a grade II lateral sprain following our appointment.
“I’ll be out for a few days due to a sprain! I’ll see you in Indian Wells and Las Vegas!”
Alcaraz’s right foot caught in the red clay surface of the Jockey Club Brasiliero in the second point of his first-round match against Brazilian wild card Thiago Monteiro, resulting in an injury.
He staggered to his chair after taking a heavy fall, and a trainer wrapped his swollen right ankle during a medical timeout. After breaking his serve in the first game, he came back to win it, but he gave up after that.
Physiotherapists had told Alcaraz during his post-game press conference that the injury was “not serious,” and additional testing on Wednesday confirmed that.
He still plans to play against 22-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal in a made-for-Netflix exhibition on March 3 in Las Vegas.
Nadal is making his court comeback following an injury that kept him out of action for nearly a year. The match will take place at the Michelob Ultra Arena at the Mandalay Bay Resort.
At Indian Wells, where all seeded players get a first-round bye, main draw action gets underway on March 6.
Last year in the California desert, Alcaraz defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-2 to reclaim his no. 1 ranking in the world.
After winning the US Open in 2022 at the age of 19, he had became the youngest men’s world number one. However, his 2022 season was cut short when he had an abdominal rupture in the Paris Masters in November of the same year, and he was unable to compete in the Australian Open in 2023 due to a hamstring injury sustained during training.
In April of last year, the 20-year-old also withdrew from the Monte Carlo Masters due to back issues and left hand arthritis; yet, he went on to win his second Grand Slam championship at Wimbledon in July.
The latest setback to Alcaraz occurs as Jannik Sinner, the Australian Open champion from Italy, is getting closer to the world number two spot. Alcaraz has 1,000 points to defend at Indian Wells against Sinner, who won the Rotterdam title on Sunday, by just 535 points.
