First win in China! 🤝🏻 Very happy with my debut and to be back in action! 🙌🏻😎❤️ @ChinaOpen 📸 Getty
"That is the meaning of these two tournaments": Alcaraz using absence of Djokovic in Beijing and Shanghai to mount World No.1 challenge
ATPSaturday, 30 September 2023 at 16:17
Carlos Alcaraz admits he is using the impending tournaments this week in Beijing and then Shanghai to plot his route back to World No.1 and usurp Novak Djokovic at the top of the world rankings.
Djokovic maintains a stranglehold on top spot by a small distance, but a caveat remains with the 24-time Grand Slam champion unlikely to play again for some time due to his pick and choose schedule. As a result, the Spaniard can close the gap.
He said that while he wants that goal too, he wants firstly to get close to him and put himself in line to return. He was usurped by Djokovic who won the US Open to do so, but instead of playing the China Open, he has been at the Ryder Cup instead.
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"I think Novak Djokovic defends some points soon, in the race he is like 700 or 800 points ahead," Alcaraz said.
"By playing these two tournaments and Novak Djokovic does not participate I have the opportunity to get closer to number one."
"That is the meaning of these two tournaments, to be able to do well here in Beijing and Shanghai and be able to regain number one soon," he continued. "If I don't achieve it and get closer to it, it will also be great, because there are still some tournaments ahead."
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- FYI: The term 'snub' is a much overused verb by writers of sensationalist rags. [SNUB: rebuff, ignore, or spurn disdainfully]. That is not the definition of what is going on with frequent withdrawals from tournaments.
mandoist16-09-2024 - No offence, Mr. Lloyd, but where have you been the past two years?? How long have you been a tennis fan? This 'article' may be informative for newbies or fair-weather tennis observers but the majority of fans know the root of the multiple issues within WTA. The #1 issue being the subject of health & well-being which has been (or has attempted to be) addressed with the WTA Elitist council members last season. WTA was extremely dismissive of players' concerns and opposed to such a meeting. Eventually giving-in due to publicity and allowed selective players only -- no rep's, no medical personnel, and no team members. The meeting was a farce as WTA soon after that released an even more hectic schedule... with mandatory tourneys! Guess they weren't taking notes?? BTW: There is a lot missing from this piece concerning "withdrawals". No writer has yet taken the jump to get behind the scenes and dig at the problems -- obvious organizational problems. IMO, the top two issues are WTA's lack of proper attention to health & well-being of its Money-Makers; and Financial Greed. Tip to Mr. Lloyd: there is no "snubbing" when these players withdraw. These women have to take such measures as withdrawing from a tourney, and occasional time-off from the circuit, to protect themselves -- because WTA refuses to take any measures at all (although not allowing matches until sunrise is a start). Surely you can do better than point fingers at players. The finger-pointing should be directed entirely at WTA (and ATP). Be a true journalist, Mr. Lloyd, and research them!!mandoist16-09-2024
- Uh-oh.... Now Raducanu is being forced to compete! Let's see who withdraws next... I wonder??mandoist15-09-2024
- And this is such a shock to WTA?? How many times are they (WTA & ATP) going to keep stepping in their own s*** ???mandoist15-09-2024
- They can go down together!mandoist15-09-2024
