Novak Djokovic LOSES his status as world No. 1 just over a week before the French Open kicks off… with Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz returning to the top of the rankings
- Novak Djokovic has spent a record 386 weeks as the world number 1
- However, Carlos Alcaraz has replaced the Serb at the top of the rankings
- The change comes because the French Open starts in just over a week
Carlos Alcaraz has overtaken Novak Djokovic as the number 1 tennis player in the men’s world.
The Serb – who holds the record for most weeks as world No. 1 with 386 in total throughout his career – is losing the ranking ahead of the French Open which kicks off in just over a week.
It comes after 20-year-old Alcaraz got off to a great start at the Italian Open, en route to a 6-4 6-1 victory over compatriot Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
Meanwhile, Djokovic won his first match after a first-round bye, but was largely unconvincing against world No. 61 Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
He trailed twice during the first set before finally emerging victorious thanks to a 7-6 (5) 6-2 victory on Friday.
Novak Djokovic has been eliminated from his position as the number 1 tennis player in the world
Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz, 20, has preceded Djokovic to regain the position
However, Djokovic has struggled with injury in recent times and was forced to miss the recent Madrid Open due to elbow issues as he prepares for the start of Roland Garros on May 22.
Djokovic is a two-time French Open winner in both 2016 and 2021, while also aiming for a seventh Italian Open title of his career.
But after his second round win, he was furious about the condition he had to play in.
You saw Djokovoic express his dissatisfaction towards the referee and during the first set claimed that the clay court was ‘an absolute disaster’.
“Every bounce is different,” he added. “It looks like there’s too much clay. Half a meter in, half a meter out.’
Elsewhere, Alcaraz – who had been world No. 1 22 weeks earlier last year – was elated with his win as the Spanish sensation continues his meteoric rise to fame after winning the US Open last year.
Djokovic has just returned to action at the Italian Open after struggling with an elbow problem
The Serb is preparing for the 2023 French Open, a Grand Slam he has won twice
After his victory over Ramos-Vinolas, he told the ATP’s official website: “The first round of any tournament is very tough and of course, especially on clay, Albert is a very tough opponent.
“I had to adjust my game very quickly to get through. The conditions weren’t easy either, the rain, waiting all day.
“I didn’t know if I was going to play or not. But I’m very happy with my performance at the end.’
Djokovic will face Grigor Dimitrov in the third round of the tournament, while Alcaraz will face either Jiri Lehecka or Fabian Marozsan.