Novak Djokovic locked down the Year-End No.1 rank after profitable his first round-robin match in the 2023 ATP Finals. This ended a lengthy tussle between him and Carlos Alcaraz for the prestigious spot. The Spaniard had a troublesome chase in entrance of him after Djokovic’s unbelievable run following their Wimbledon closing. Carlos Alcaraz was vocal about wanting to seize the Year-End No.1 from his rival, however the Serb put up a tennis masterclass and maintained a stronghold.

Carlos Alcaraz reclaimed the No.1 rank after beating Djokovic in the 2023 Wimbledon closing. The latter, nevertheless, carried out like a man possessed after the defeat. He gained each single match he performed after the closing in London. Djokovic secured the US Open and two ATP 1000 titles, taking again the World No.1 place in early September. Alcaraz, in the meantime, faltered and put up inconsistent showings. He completed runner-up in the Cincinnati Masters, however a semi-final elimination at the US Open meant he conceded the prime spot to Djokovic.

After that, Djokovic didn’t let something slide and held on to the World No.1 rank. Alcaraz ceaselessly talked about wrestling the numero uno place and his want to retain the Year-End No.1. The two-time Grand Slam winner endured a tough maiden Asian swing. After his shock defeat to Grigor Dimitrov in the Shanghai Masters Round of 16, he accepted he had made his mission more durable by not profitable. He, although, sounded hopeful, saying he would make up for it by attempting his greatest to win the upcoming tournaments. Unfortunately, it was not to be, as he crashed out in the first spherical of the Paris Masters which Djokovic finally gained.

After his loss in Paris, Alcaraz admitted to giving up on his purpose of overtaking Djokovic in the race. He revealed he had performed with this goal in each match after the US Open. The Asian marketing campaign was his greatest alternative as the 24-time Majors winner had withdrawn. However, Alcaraz failed to capitalize on it. His failure to seize possibilities, coupled with Djokovic’s imposing type, resulted in the Serb taking the Year-End No.1 with out breaking a lot of a sweat.

How Novak Djokovic outsmarted and outran Carlos Alcaraz

Novak Djokovic had a tremendous Slam season in 2023, profitable three out of the 4 on provide. He made it to the closing in Wimbledon the place Alcaraz handed him a loss. Not solely did the 36-year-old legend miss out on a probability to make historical past, but additionally conceded the World No.1 spot to his younger rival. However, the defeat appeared to awaken one thing inside him.

Djokovic fastidiously selected his tournaments. After Wimbledon, he featured solely in the huge tournaments. He performed two ATP 1000s, the Cincinnati Masters and the Paris Masters, and the US Open. He selected to skip the whole Asian swing. Through his common breaks, he stored himself match, reserving his greatest for the prime tournaments.

After Wimbledon, he breezed by way of the discipline in Cincinnati, not dropping a set till the closing. After one among the best matches in latest tennis historical past, he beat Alcaraz to carry the title. Similarly, he blazed by way of the US Open with out a lot problem. He gained all video games however one in straight units to carry a report twenty fourth Grand Slam and reclaim the World No.1 rank. The Serb opened up a large lead atop the desk and selected to relaxation as his opponents toiled in China and Japan.

Djokovic was again to his greatest at the Paris Masters. He lifted the title as Alcaraz crashed out in the first spherical, nearly guaranteeing him the Year-End No.1 spot. He confirmed it after defeating Holger Rune in his first round-robin match of the 2023 ATP Finals. While Alcaraz’s problem frittered out, no credit score might be taken away from the invincible type Djokovic displayed, having gained 19 matches in a row since the Wimbledon closing loss. Djokovic finally went on to win the ATP Finals 2023 title regardless of shedding his group match to Jannik Sinner, (*1*) in the semifinals and Sinner himself in the finals.