Alcaraz fights back to beat Djokovic: what is the head-to-head?
It may only have been a friendly match on the hard court in Saudi Arabia but they all count when this growing tennis rivalry is concerned.
In a thrilling exhibition match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 20-year-old tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz staged yet another remarkable comeback against world number 1 Novak Djokovic. The young Spanish star triumphed on the hard courts with an intense final scoreline of 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. This marked their sixth encounter, with Alcaraz clinching his third victory against the Serbian ace, thereby leveling their overall head-to-head record.
Thank you Riyadh for hosting me at the Tennis Cup it was great experience! ❤️ Hope to see you again! 🫶🏻
— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) December 27, 2023
📸 Getty pic.twitter.com/yD9BEYkNt2
Alcaraz levels head-to-head with Djokovic
The rivalry between Alcaraz and Djokovic has become a captivating narrative in the tennis world. Previously, Djokovic had a slight edge in their matchups, holding a 3-2 lead. Notable among these were Djokovic’s wins at the Cincinnati Masters 1000 and the semi-finals of Roland Garros in 2023, while Alcaraz secured a dramatic victory in the Wimbledon final and a triumph at the Madrid Masters 1000 semi-finals in 2022.
Related stories
Their last face-off before Riyadh was at the semi-finals of the Masters Cup in Turin on an indoor carpet court, where Djokovic demonstrated his mastery with a convincing win. This latest showdown, although lacking points or titles, showcased the intense and growing rivalry between the seasoned Djokovic and the rising Alcaraz, foreshadowing many more exciting clashes in the future.
Novak Djokovic had kind words for Carlos Alcaraz after their match in Riyadh:
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) December 27, 2023
“It’s impressive for such a young age what he’s achieved. He’s a very humble, nice guy. His family, his father, a very nice family with great values.” 🥹
Well said.
pic.twitter.com/GYqO40OumW
With Djokovic’s enduring form at 36 and Alcaraz’s burgeoning career, this rivalry is set to captivate tennis fans for a few more years to come.