(Paris) Two weeks ago, before the start of the French Open tennis matches, the tables were revealed and a possible semi-final duel immediately demanded some attention: world number one Carlos Alcaraz, next big men’s tennis superstar, against Novak Djokovic, third in the world and currently the biggest superstar in men’s tennis.
This great anticipation was not only related to the fact that it would be fascinating to see them both play at Roland-Garros. It would also be fascinating to watch them go head-to-head, period. It only happened once, 13 months ago, and Alcaraz won.
So get ready: Alcaraz and Djokovic will finally share the same stage again, that of the Philippe-Chatrier stadium court on Friday, where they will fight for a place in the grand final.
“Ever since the chart was released, everyone has been waiting for this game — the semi-final against Novak. Myself, too,” Alcaraz said after completing his end of the bargain by outscoring Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-1, 7-6(5) in the quarterfinals on Tuesday night.
“I really want to play this game. »
Moments later, Alcaraz added the following: “If you want to become the best, you have to beat the best. »
That line echoed, word for word, one Djokovic had uttered hours earlier after beating Karen Khachanov 4-6, 7-6(0), 6-2, 6-4 on Tuesday.
“That’s definitely the biggest challenge for me so far in the tournament. If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. He is definitely a guy to beat here. I can not wait to be there. »
The other men’s pair at square ace will include Germany’s Alexander Zverev (22nd), who reached this stage in Paris for the third time in a row thanks to a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6- 4 against Tomas Martin Etcheverry, an unrated player.
Two years ago, Zverev lost the flag in five sets against Stefanos Tsitsipas. Last year, the German left the court in a wheelchair after suffering a torn ligament in his right ankle late in the second set of his match against Rafael Nadal.
“It’s been the toughest year of my life for sure,” said Zverev, a runner-up at the 2020 U.S. Open.
“I’m so happy to be back at this stage (of the tournament). »
In the semi-final, Zverev will cross swords with the winner of the match between the Norwegian Casper Ruud (4th) and the Dane Holger Rune (6th), whose match was to take place in the evening on Wednesday.
The only confrontation between Alcaraz and Djokovic took place on May 7, 2022, on the red clay of the Madrid Masters. Alcaraz had knocked out Rafael Nadal in the previous round, and his 6-7(5), 7-5, 7-6(5) victory over Djokovic made the Spaniard the first player to defeat these two tennis titans in the same tournament on clay.
The tennis world already knew Alcaraz, but this victory truly heralded his arrival. He then won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open in September and became the first teenager to finish a season at the top of the men’s world rankings.
“He is ready to try to achieve great things in tennis. I don’t know if it will be in this tournament, but I think he’s ready,” said Alcaraz coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, winner at Roland Garros in 2003.
“He dreams a lot about what he can do, so I think that’s one of the most important things that he believes in himself and he thinks he can go on the court and win. against everyone. »
So why is everyone so interested in this particular game?
One of the players, Alcaraz, is considered a star of the future. The other, Djokovic, is still a star of the present. His Australian Open title in January was his 10th in 19 majors (Nadal won six, three other players won one each, including Alcaraz).
Alcaraz at 20, Djokovic at 36.
In sports, it can help to be the one with the younger body.
Djokovic has 22 Grand Slam men’s singles titles, tied with Nadal for the most titles in men’s tennis history. Alcaraz only has one. On Friday, Djokovic will make his 45th appearance in a semi-final at a major tournament and Alcaraz will make his second appearance.
In sports, it can help to be the one with the most skill.
“One has experience, the other has legs,” Tsitsipas analyzed. “One can hit huge punches, and the other prefers control over anything else, probably control and precision, to apply pressure and get the opponent moving as much as possible. »
