"I am salivating over this match-up": McEnroe buzzing ahead of Djokovic-Alcaraz clash at French Open

Friday, 09 June 2023 at 08:00

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz Madrid Open

John McEnroe is eagerly anticipating the match between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open.

Fans are eagerly awaiting a highly anticipated showdown in the tennis world when world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz faces world No. 2 Novak Djokovic, the top contenders for the title. McEnroe commented on their upcoming second encounter, referring to Carlos' previous victory over Djokovic at the 2022 Madrid Open.

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“I am salivating over this match-up, to see who's going to handle the pressure. The crowd is going to be nuts, as they often are in France, they are very emotional. I can't wait because this thing is going to be unbelievable.”

“We hope that this rivalry goes on for a couple of years,” said McEnroe.

“Novak's 36, but he looks like he's 26 and Alcaraz is 20 and he plays like he's been around forever. So this is what we all hope for in the tennis world. It's hard to pick a winner.

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“I picked out Alcaraz and gave him a slight edge before the tournament and obviously Novak would be the second choice. They're both getting it done in different ways. It is going to be unbelievable. I'm hoping for an epic one. I really think it will be great for tennis,” added the former world No. 1.

John McEnroe has previously praised Carlos Alcaraz's level, considering him the best player he has seen at his age:

“Boris Becker was the best player I ever saw at 17 or 18 when he won his first two Wimbledons. This guy Alcaraz, he's just turned 20. He's the most complete player I've ever seen at this age, more than the other guys.”

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“You’d be hard-pressed to think he's not going to win many, many Majors. And he's also just got this incredible personality. So you’ve got the old guy Djokovic, but he plays young. He's going for history. He's trying to break the record, which is insane,” claimed McEnroe.

Alcaraz and Djokovic are also playing for the opportunity to start the next week as the world No. 1. If Alcaraz wins, he will guarantee maintaining the top spot in the ATP rankings and will distance himself from 'Nole', who is defending 2,000 points from last year's trophy. If the Serbian manages to eliminate Alcaraz and then win the trophy, he will regain the world No. 1 ranking.

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Carlos Alcaraz 🇪🇸 practicing Wednesday ahead of his French Open SF vs Djokovic: #RolandGarros (🎥: FFT/SNTV)

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4:15 PM · Jun 7, 2023

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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