Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz seem to enjoy dating each other. Credit: Getty Images/Matthew Stockman
A week ago in Cincinnati, Novak Djokovic defeated Carlos Alcaraz in three hours and 49 minutes before tearing himself out of his shirt in celebration. It was tennis's answer to the bodice ripper: a match that was more like a bromance than a deadly rivalry.
In the shortest period of time — just three months — Djokovic and Alcaraz have established themselves as the most exciting story in the sport. Much of the fun is that they are clearly enjoying what has quickly become a duopoly.
Both men are so superior to the rest of the players that against most opponents, they could probably win with a fry. pot. Their only real opposition is each other. And yet, instead of resenting the one major obstacle in their path, every man relishes the challenge.
“It’s a pleasure to see two people who are head and shoulders above everyone else throw punches like that at each other.” that they have never had to apply before,” said tennis legend Martina Navratilova, commentating on the US Open on Monday for Sky Sports.
“That's why they like it so much; because no one else can push them to it. You can only throw great punches when you're forced to throw great punches, and you'll have to do it three or four times per play. Then it's over, and now you can do it again. My God!”
Navratilova has every opportunity to comment. In the 1970s and 80s, she participated in half of what is arguably the greatest rivalry in tennis history, a 16-year, 80-match duel with Chris Evert.
Yet there is one significant difference between Navratilova-Ewert and Djokovic-Alcaraz. The former were contemporaries born two years apart in the mid-1950s. The latter are as far apart on the age scale as it is possible for two professional tennis players to be. During the Masters tournament in Madrid, Alcaraz turned 20 and his opponent turned 36. Despite uncanny resistance to the aging process, Djokovic cannot continue his career forever.
As a result, these meetings create a sense of urgency that brings your own electricity. In Djokovic's case, he could easily feel frustrated by the arrival of a player with gifts from Alcaraz, shortly after he saw off the rest of the Big Four. Instead, he is visibly pleased to have a new giant to compare his skills to.
“I love to compete,” Djokovic said on Friday. “On the court, it’s kind of a game of cat and mouse. You're trying to outmaneuver or outmaneuver your opponent tactically, but then you'll have to fight your own demons as well.»
Alcaraz is a worthy successor to his rivals in the person of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Photo: Getty Images
For Alcaraz, this is also a unique opportunity to learn from the best. In their battles over the past 15 years, the Big Four have undoubtedly accelerated each other's evolution, testing weaknesses and experimenting with tactics. Their mutual struggle, combined with natural abilities, placed them in a separate category from the rank and file, so they literally played a different game.
Alcaraz could now reap a similar advantage, especially if he continues to face Djokovic in every tournament they both enter (which has now happened at the French Open, Wimbledon and Cincinnati, in quick succession). With each meeting, he learns more about pace and energy management, areas in which Djokovic excels. In the future, such lessons will surely help him keep his younger rivals at bay.
Nevertheless, both men know that — due to the unusual timing — their rivalry will not be career-defining. . This may help explain why in their matches there is a rare sense of freedom when throwing.
Let's go back to the aftermath of the events in Cincinnati last Sunday evening. It's no coincidence, of course, that Djokovic threw the exact same celebratory celebration in 2012, shortly after breaking the record for the longest Grand Slam final with a win over Rafael Nadal in 5 hours and 53 minutes. In his opinion, Alcaraz is already a worthy successor to Nadal's crown.
Cincinnati may not be as legendary as Wimbledon, where Djokovic lost to Alcaraz in five sets, but he equalizes their head-to-head record — two wins each, while simultaneously creating an exciting sense of unpredictability as to what might happen next.
There is only one problem for tennis in general. Djokovic and Alcaraz quickly transcended the sport to the point of becoming protagonists.
Subconsciously, fans might be thinking, «Wake me up when Novak plays Carlos again.» And if the US Open does not end with their meeting in two weeks, it may seem like something of a firecracker.
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