Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic has been the flavour of the season and in Riyadh when these 2 got again on this tennis court together Carlos Alcaraz emerged victorious at the Riyadh Season Tennis Cup in Saudi Arabia’s capital, defeating the world’s number one player, Novak Djokovic. Although the match was an exhibition, the intensity displayed by both champions was undeniable. This encounter served as a warm-up for both players as they gear up for the upcoming Australian Open, commencing on January 14th.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic – Rivalry in the making
Throughout the year, Alcaraz and Djokovic have faced each other on multiple occasions in significant tournaments. In the French Open men’s singles, Djokovic triumphed over Alcaraz in the elimination round, eventually securing the championship against Casper Ruud. However, Alcaraz sought redemption at Wimbledon, where he defeated Djokovic in the finals.
The highly anticipated match at the Kingdom Arena showcased Alcaraz’s impressive skills. He made a strong start by breaking Djokovic’s serve in the opening game and maintaining his own serve despite some errors from his opponent. However, Djokovic displayed his resilience and made a comeback, utilizing brilliant returns to secure a 6-4 victory in the first set.
Undeterred, Alcaraz bounced back in the second set, breaking Djokovic’s serve and taking a 2-0 lead. Djokovic managed to narrow the gap to 2-3 with exceptional net play, but Alcaraz sealed the set with two consecutive aces, leveling the match.
The deciding set commenced with Djokovic’s spectacular start, capitalizing on a missed lob from Alcaraz. The intensity heightened as the score remained close, with Alcaraz taking the lead after Djokovic committed a forehand error. Alcaraz held his serve by a slim margin, while Djokovic saved two break points and managed to win a game with his dominant service.
In one of the most intense and dramatic moments of the match, Djokovic broke back in the sixth game, leveling the scores at 3-3 and gaining the upper hand on the third break point. He then took the lead in the subsequent game.
However, Alcaraz made a crucial breakthrough at 4-4, capitalizing on a long ball error from Djokovic. With this advantage, he went on to secure the victory, marking a significant achievement in his career.
Before Wednesday’s showdown, Djokovic had dominated their head-to-head record with three victories compared to Alcaraz’s two.
Taking place in the vibrant city of Riyadh, this match is a highlight of the Riyadh Season, a yearly celebration of arts, culture, and sports. Among the exciting events lined up is the Riyadh Season Cup football tournament in early February, where renowned players like Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr and Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will showcase their skills.