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Roger Federer's ex-coach Paul Annacone thinks Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are the two best players in the game and have separated themselves from the rest of the competition. This year, Djokovic captured six titles - including three Grand Slams and the Serb also won two out of Masters tournaments that he participated in.
On the other side, Alcaraz has also collected six titles this year, including the Wimbledon title and two Masters titles in Indian Wells and Madrid. As the third-best in the game, Annacone named Daniil Medvedev, who has won five titles this year but without a Grand Slam title.
When it comes to guys ranked between 4-12, Annacone thinks there's not much separating those players.
Annacone: Djokovic, Alcaraz the two best in the game
"I actually look at it a little differently, I look at it as a premier two.
I think [Carlos] Alcaraz and Novak [Djokovic] are a little bit better than everybody, and then I would probably give [Daniil] Medvedev the next tip of the cap. And then from four to kind of 12, I think you can make an argument that there is a lot of interchangeable parts and you could probably go to 15 as well.
So, if I'm one of those guys between three or four and 15, I am thinking, 'There's a great opportunity for me out there' I think as a fan it's exciting, I love watching it," Annacone said on Tennis Channel's Inside-In podcast.
On Thursday, ATP Finals groups were drawn. In Green Group, Djokovic was drawn with Jannik Sinner, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Holger Rune. Alcaraz and Medvedev landed in Red Group with Andrey Rublev and Alexander Zverev. Going into the ATP Finals, Djokovic is considered the No 1 favorite.
Alcaraz has had a great season but he hasn't been playing that well lately. Since Djokovic and Alcaraz haven't been placed in the same group, they could possibly meet in the semifinal or final in Turin. Djokovic and Alcaraz have had a couple of great matches this year and it wouldn't be a surprise if they met one more time in Turin.