Novak Djokovic becomes biggest beneficiary of Carlos Alcaraz's shock defeat in Queen's Championship

Serbia’s legendary tennis star Novak Djokovic has become the biggest beneficiary of an upset result in the Queen’s Championship on Thursday. The 37-year-old is regarded as the greatest player in the history of men’s tennis in the Open era, having won as many as 24 Grand Slam titles.

Djokovic has been going through a tough campaign where he has struggled to maintain form, and in the recent past, fitness as well. The Belgrade-born star suffered a knee injury during the French Open which him to withdraw before the start of the quarterfinal against Norway’s Casper Ruud.

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While not much has gone right for Djokovic in the 2024 season, finally on Thursday he received some good news as Spain’s young tennis star Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shocking defeat in the second round of the Queen’s Championship in London.

The 21-year-old, who is already regarded as one of the most highly-rated players currently playing in men’s tennis along with Italy’s Jannik Sinner, lost to Britain’s Jack Draper in straight sets with a score of 7-6, 6-3.

The result means that Djokovic has been pushed one spot up and is now the world number two in men’s tennis, whereas Alcaraz has dropped to the third spot in the ATP rankings.

Novak Djokovic was dropped to number three in the ATP rankings after withdrawing from the French Open. 

Djokovic lost the top spot to Sinner, who has been going through a great season. He won his maiden Grand Slam in January after defeating Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in the final of the Australian Open in a five-set thrilling contest with a score of 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3.

Despite the good news, Djokovic will still focus on his fitness after recent knee surgery. It was first reported that his participation in the third Grand Slam of the year was in doubt following the surgery. However, according to the latest media reports, the 24-time Grand Slam winner is edging closer to full fitness and might play in the 2024 edition of Wimbledon, which will begin on July 1st.