Not a fan of Djokovic but he is likely to win 2 more GS this year making it 25 trophies. At his age it is absolutely incredible.
***2023 Tennis Thread***
- Thread starter BigJCy
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Honestly I don't think he will win the US Open. Wimbledon is a foregone conclusion because no one else is a master of grass anymore, but there are plenty of really good hard court players on tour now, and older players slow down at the end of the year. Medvedev has already beaten Novak at the US, and I could list a half dozen other players that could challenge him.
Agree. The U.S. Open will be tough for anyone this year. Lots of guys I could see in the semis or the finals. Wimbledon is intriguing to see who gets to the final opposite Djokovic.
Hope it will bw Alcaraz. He seems to be the only one who can compete with Novak in terms both skills and mentality.
A month ago I would have said Djokovic's biggest competition would be Sinner, Tsitsipas, Berretini or Kyrigos. Sinner hasn't been playing well and just got injured in Halle. Tsitsipas is struggling and has a mental block against top players. Berretini and Kyriogs have both been out with injuries and wont be in shape. The competition at Wimbledon is thiiiiiin this year. It's definitely setting up for an Alcaraz vs Djokovic final. Djokovic should breeze through. Alcaraz will probably have a couple tight matches he'll need to pull through. There's still some tough grass court players that would give him trouble.
When it comes to skill, sure he can compete. But he still has ways to go on the mental part of the game if FO is an indication of his preparedness considering many comments that his cramps were induced by his nervousness in facing Novak.
The FO match was the most intense/pressure filled match he's ever played. He'll learn from it and be fine. He's played other big matches before without issues. I think the pressure being off him at Wimbledon helps. He's not expected to win there. 100% of the pressure will be on Djokovic. I still think there's a pretty good chance (greater than 50%) that Alcaraz doesn't make it to the final though, just don't know who else it will be.
I agree somewhat. Even though Novak is favored at Wimbledon, Alcaraz hype as the #1 seed and the most legit challenger will be through the roof. For me, until he beats Novak in a high importance match, the nerves will still be there to the point where they may affect him again. Playing high pressure matches vs others is not the same as Novak at this time, especially if it’s a slam finals.
My irrational hope is that Fritz puts together a big run. It would be cool to see an American be at the top of the game again and he has the highest ceiling at the moment. He hasn't been playing his best at the warm up events though, if anyone is going to make a run to the semis or better Tiafoe is looking the best I think.
There is nothing wrong with Alcaraz mentally in any way. You don’t get to number 1 in the world with a guy like Djokovic still playing elite tennis without being mentally tough. That’s ridiculous and remember the dude just turned 20. He won a slam as a teen which is a list only a few belong to. Novak is the greatest player in the history of the sport. If Carlos can stay healthy (his biggest issue) he will win double digit slams.
As usual with Wimbledon believe it or not but the chances someone beats Novak or any of these big names is typically in the first couple of rounds with the grass slick and fresh. Once it gets chewed up, it plays like dirt and Novak will destroy anyone.
A bad matchup early would be a guy like a Mannario who is a grass court guy with a ball that works very well on fresh grass.
A bad matchup early would be a guy like a Mannario who is a grass court guy with a ball that works very well on fresh grass.
I think you may have been replying to my post... if not never mind.
Alcaraz himself has said the cramps from FO finals were a result of tension and nerves during the match. To me that means that mentally he fell apart in that game, and a person has to wonder will that happen again if he faces Novak in Wimbledon finals. I don't blame him for it cause he is only 20 so it's completely understandable.
He'll be fine. There's a difference between getting cramps due to the stress/intensity of the match and completely melting down mentally, and playing timid/scared. He played very well those first two sets (especially the 2nd) prior to the cramps. It's not like he was playing tight, or missing a bunch of shots he normally makes.
He needs to learn to relax though. Alcaraz is at his best when he's relaxed and enjoying himself. He was way too tense in that match due to it being Djokovic, no doubt. He's experienced it now and I don't think that'll happen again. Not to say he'd beat Djokovic, but I think he'll play more relaxed next time they meet (hopefully in the Wimbledon final). The world needs a Djokovic vs. Alcaraz match where both play their best tennis for 4-5 sets.
Agree. I still wish Alcaraz would pace himself just a tad more and not try to get every ball. Play smarter not harder. All of that will come with experience. But he is #1 already for a reason so this is me just nitpicking things. Either way, like you said, he'll be fine.
I don't want to be a downer bit this might be the least exciting Wimbledon on the Men's side in a long time. Feels like a 2 horse race I don't even know who the 3rd would be. So many guys who are usually more consistent have been injured or playing poorly. Fritz, Medvedev, Zverev, kygrios, sinner, etc... I think Djokovic rolls especially after seeing the draw come out. Was hoping he'd get a bigger server early but didn't happen. I think Alcaraz is favorite on top half but I'd take field over him to get to the final but again I don't have a good guess to who that'll be.
The women's side will be much more intriguing I hope Coco gets her maiden slam but ultimately don't see it happening. I'll take swiatek just based off consistency but again I'd take field over her
What's everyone else got?
The women's side will be much more intriguing I hope Coco gets her maiden slam but ultimately don't see it happening. I'll take swiatek just based off consistency but again I'd take field over her
What's everyone else got?
I wouldn’t even call it a two-horse race. Djokovic’s draw is absolutely laughable with a bunch of clay courters in his quadrant. Alcaraz isn’t nearly good enough on grass to win this thing.
I will be dialed into the women’s tournament though as that one is wide open imo. Can Iga show the complete game and win it on the grass? I think she can but easily her worst surface. I do like Coco a lot here but I will continue to cheer for Jabeur to get a slam, especially this one after watching her story on the Netflix series Break Point. She’s impossible not to like.
Feels like a 1 horse race. The only question is who gets through the other half of the draw to lose to Djokovic in the final. The potential of Alcaraz to make things exciting adds some intrigue though. Anyone else against Djokovic in the final sounds like a snooze fest.
It would be nice to see some guys get back in form and play well at least like Zverev, FAA, Berettini, Medvedev and Fritz.
It would be nice to see some guys get back in form and play well at least like Zverev, FAA, Berettini, Medvedev and Fritz.
I agree with 99 percent of that but I think Alcaraz in today's field can absolutely win it. 3 to 4 years ago I don't think so but this is a sad group of contenders.