(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 linked 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 be 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 table was released, everyone was waiting for this game — the semi-final against Novak. Myself, too,” said Alcaraz after completing his end of the bargain by outscoring Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-1, 7-6(5) in the quarter-finals 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 phrase 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.
“It’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. »
PHOTO JEAN-FRANCOIS BADIAS, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Novak Djokovic
The other men’s pair for the semi-finals was to be determined on Wednesday, depending on the winners of these quarter-finals: Alexander Zverev (22e) against Tomas Martin Etcheverry (unranked), and Casper Ruud (4e) against Holger Rune (6e), a replay of a controversial match at the same stage of the tournament, a year ago in Paris.
A first in men’s tennis
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 is 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 out 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 10e in 19 major tournaments (Nadal has won six, three other players have won one each, including Alcaraz).
Alcaraz is 20, Djokovic is 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 participate for the 45e time to a semi-final of a major tournament and Alcaraz, for the second time.
In sport, it can be useful to be the one with the greatest know-how.
“One has experience, the other has legs,” analyzed Tsitsipas. “One can hit huge shots, and the other prefers control over anything else, probably control and precision, to apply pressure and get the opponent moving as much as possible. »