Novak Djokovic remains the ‘true world No 1’, says former Wimbledon champion
Novak Djokovic remains the best player in the world ahead of Carlos Alcaraz, according to Marion Bartoli, although the former Wimbledon champion is excited about the pair going toe-to-toe in the coming months.
On the back of his glorious 2022 season, Alcaraz started this year as the world No 1 but he missed the Australian Open due to injury and was then bumped off top spot by Djokovic on the back of the Serbian’s title run at Melbourne Park.
However, the Spaniard won titles in Buenos Aires and Indian Wells to return to the top of the ATP Rankings before Djokovic once again moved top at the end of March after Alcaraz was unable to successfully defend his Miami Open crown.
Djokovic is likely to remain top until the French Open, but the musical chairs at the top of the rankings in recent weeks has raised the question “who is currently the true world No 1 in men’s tennis?”
For 2013 Wimbledon champion Bartoli it is an easy selection.
“It’s very simple – it’s Novak Djokovic [who is the true world No 1],” the former world No 7 told Tennis Majors’ Match Points podcast.
“I’m not saying Carlos Alcaraz didn’t deserve the results he’s had, he obviously played tremendous tennis. It’s great to see that those kids are taking over and making sure the ATP has a really bright future ahead.
“For now, you have one guy who has 22 Grand Slams and another one who has one Grand Slam. It’s very easy to say who is No 1. But I’m looking forward to the clay and to Wimbledon ahead to see when both of them are able to play those events, if they go toe-to-toe, who will be the best.”
When will the debate be settled?
Many believe that the question will only be answered once Djokovic and Alcaraz slug it out on court, but a combination of injury and Djokovic’s unvaccinated status mean they have only played each other once so far.
Alcaraz missed the season-ending ATP Finals last year, this year’s Australian Open and this week’s Monte Carlo Masters due to injury while Djokovic was unable to play at the Sunshine Double as he was not allowed to enter the United States due to their vaccination regulations.
The pair’s only meeting to date came in the semi-final of the Madrid Open last year with Alcaraz winning in three sets.
However, Bartoli is right that there is a good chance that they will be involved in several tussles over the remainder of the clay-court season and at Wimbledon.
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