Tennis fans in for a treat as Boris Becker reckons Djokovic-Alcaraz rivalry just getting started
- Planet Sport writer
- 20 July 2023
The six-time Grand Slam champion reckons a new rivalry between World No 1 Carlos Alcaraz and World No 2 Novak Djokovic is only just emerging.
Boris Becker believes that despite his five-set loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final, Novak Djokovic is far from a spent force on the tennis court.
While Djokovic has stood head and shoulders above his rivals in recent years, dominating the Grand Slams, many feel a new era of dominance from 20-year-old Alcaraz has now arrived.
Last week's Wimbledon result was a massive one for many reasons, not least of which because it put an end to Djokovic's unbeaten streak at the All England Club since 2017. It also prevented him from equalling Roger Federer's record of eight titles at SW19.
While some speculate that this five-set loss might signify the end of Djokovic's reign in tennis, Becker remains unconvinced, and reckons Djokovic will be going all out as he looks to add to his Grand Slam legacy and cement his status as the greatest in the sport.
"I don't think it's the end of the Djokovic era, and I hope not, because that was an excellent example of how a tennis match should be," he told the Eurosport's Das Gelbe vom Ball podcast.
"We won millions of new fans thanks to that, and I hope they can repeat that in New York or Melbourne. I don't think Djokovic will stop performing.
"The question is about motivation: what keeps Djokovic going? Yes, certainly on the 24th [Grand Slam], then he would be the best along with Margaret Court as far as 'majors' are concerned. He already is in the men's category, but of course he wants to be in the general."
For his part, Djokovic also made it clear he was ready to continue going toe to toe with Alcaraz, and that their ongoing battle could only be good for the game.
"I would hope so, for my sake," he said when asked if this was the start of a new rivalry in tennis. "He [Alcaraz] is going to be on the tour for quite some time. I don't know how long I'll be around.
"I mean, let's see. It's been only three matches that we played against each other. Three really close matches. Two already this year in later stages of Grand Slams.
"I hope we get to play in US Open. Why not? I think it's good for the sport, 1 and 2 in the world facing each other in almost a five-hours, five-set thriller. Couldn't be better for our sport in general, so why not?"
