The Third Reign: Carlos Alcaraz Ascends to World No. 1, Overtaking Novak Djokovic

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The 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz started his third reign on the ATP throne on Monday. Carlos did not play well at the Rome Masters, but it was enough to overcome Novak Djokovic and kick off his 23rd world no. 1 week, moving closer to Ilie Nastase's 40.

Alcaraz will lead the field at the upcoming Roland Garros, entering a Major as the top seed for the first time. Alcaraz is 500 ATP points clear of Daniil Medvedev, hoping to embrace a good run in Paris and keep the Russian and Novak Djokovic behind ahead of the grass swing.

Carlos wrapped up the previous season at the top and became the youngest year-end no. 1 player. The Spaniard lost the ATP throne to Novak Djokovic following the Australian Open at the start of 2023, skipping the season's first Major due to a leg injury.

Carlos started his season in Buenos Aires in February, winning the title and reaching the final in Rio de Janeiro. The young gun earned his third Masters 1000 crown in Indian Wells. Alcaraz defeated all rivals in straight sets and destroyed Medvedev in the final to earn 1000 ATP points and start his second reign on the ATP throne.

The Spaniard had to defend 1000 ATP points in Miami to keep Djokovic behind, and he failed to do that. Carlos lost to Jannik Sinner in the semi-final and became world no. 2 again.

Carlos Alcaraz is world no. 1 for the third time, dethroning Novak Djokovic.

The Spaniard needed time to recover his body, skipping the Monte Carlo Masters and returning to action in Barcelona.

The defending champion beat all five rivals in straight sets and ousted Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final to lift the trophy and keep 500 ATP points. Performing in front of the home fans again in Madrid, Carlos defended another title following a win over Jan-Lennard Struff to match Novak and prepare his third assault toward the ATP throne after Rome.

The Spaniard got there despite losing in the third round at Foro Italico, extending the gap following the Serb's failed attempts to defend the last year's Rome Masters crown. Carlos is the top seed at Roland Garros and the favorite alongside Djokovic, Tsitsipas, Medvedev, Sinner and Rune.

The Spaniard should arrive in Paris on Wednesday, eager to fight for his second Major crown at such a young age.