No.1 On the Line as Djokovic and Alcaraz Prepare for Paris Semifinal Clash

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday June 8, 2023

No.1 is on the line this weekend in Paris.

Novak Djokovic has a chance to overtake Carlos Alcaraz at the top of the ATP rankings on the Monday after Roland-Garros, but he will have to take the title to do it.

Any other result will leave Alcaraz at No.1.

Per the ATP, If Alcaraz wins Roland Garros, he will leave Paris with a 2,140-point lead over Djokovic. If Djokovic claims his third Coupe des Mousquetaires, he will lead the Spaniard by 420 points. That is a potential 2,560-point swing.

Djokovic and Alcaraz will play their second career meeting on Friday in Paris. Alcaraz took their first meeting at Madrid in 2022, in the semifinals, 6-7(5), 7-5, 7-6(5).

“If You Want to Beat the Best…”

Djokovic and Alcaraz each feel similarly about the clash – it’s the ultimate challenge.

< “It’s definitely the biggest challenge for me, you know, so far in the tournament,” Djokovic said on Tuesday after reaching the semifinals. “If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. He’s definitely a guy to beat here. I’m looking forward to that.”

“I would say since the draw came out, everyone was expecting that match, you know, the semifinal against Novak,” Alcaraz said, after defeating Tsitsipas to set up the clash on Tuesdsay night in Paris. Myself as well. I really want to play that match. Since last year I really wanted to play again against Novak. We both are playing a great level, and as I said before, if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.

“So I’m really looking forward to that match. I’m gonna enjoy it.”