Google News Ex-Slam finalist issues prediction after Novak Djokovic-Carlos Alcaraz Paris practice
by DZEVAD MESIC
Greg Rusedski loved seeing Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz sharing the practice court together as the 1997 US Open finalist predicts those two will also meet later this week in the Paris Masters final. Prior to kicking off their Paris Masters campaigns, Djokovic and Alcaraz held a practice session together at Bercy.
Djokovic and Alcaraz, who are having the best rivalry in men's tennis in 2023, are the two top-seeded players in Paris and they are projected to meet in the final. Needless to say, Djokovic and Alcaraz meeting on a practice court drew lots of attention.
"Can’t wait for the last master series of the year. This won’t be a bad final to finish on. Who is learning more about the other guy's game in this practice session?" Rusedski wrote on X.
Can’t wait for the last master series of the year .
This won’t be a bad final to finish on💪. Who is learning more about the other guys game in this practice session ? https://t.co/WpU7AWf4Es — Greg Rusedski (@GregRusedski1) October 29, 2023
Djokovic issued a major statement on Alcaraz's talent
After losing to Djokovic in four sets in the French Open semifinal, Alcaraz bounced back by beating the Serb in a five-set thriller Wimbledon final.
After suffering his first loss at Wimbledon since 2017, Djokovic dropped pretty astonishing praise on Alcaraz, calling him a mix of the Big Three. "I think people have been talking in the past 12 months or so about his game consisting of certain elements from Roger, Rafa, and myself.
I would agree with that. I think he's got basically best of all three worlds. He's got this mental resilience and really maturity for someone who is 20 years old. It's quite impressive. He's got this Spanish bull mentality of competitiveness and fighting spirit and incredible defense that we've seen with Rafa over the years.
And I think he's got some nice sliding backhands that he's got some similarities with my backhands. Yeah, two-handed backhands, defense, being able to adapt. I think that has been my personal strength for many years. He has it, too.
I haven't played a player like him ever, to be honest. Roger and Rafa have their own obviously strengths and weaknesses. Carlos is very complete player. Amazing adapting capabilities that I think are a key for longevity and for successful career on all surfaces," Djokovic said. It remains to be seen if Djokovic and Alcaraz will have their fourth meeting of the year in Paris this week.