“It is what it is, he absolutely deserved to be where he is – I congratulate him for all the success he has had. It is a fact that I played less, Wimbledon points did not count, maybe it would have been different in different circumstances, but that is a ’what if’,” Tennis Majors quoted Djokovic as telling Sportal. Nothing more to add, the rankings show it. “Alcaraz is the world number one, he is the best. The two players haven’t clashed on the Tour since their blockbuster meeting in Madrid which Alcaraz won in three tightly contested sets. It was that triumph in New York that elevated him to become the youngest world No.1 in ATP history.ĭjokovic believes the rise of his rival has created a boost for the sport by attracting a surge of interest. After reaching the final of a couple of European clay events in July, Alcaraz claimed the biggest title of his career by winning the US Open. At the Madrid Open, he became the youngest player to score back-to-back wins over Rafael Nadal and Djokovic in the same tournament. Within the first six months of the season, he won two ATP 500 events and two Masters 1000 titles. The 19-year-old started 2022 outside of the top 30 but has shot up the standings following a series of milestone victories. No ball-boys – I’d love to see the players pick up the balls themselves!” he concluded. However, Wimbledon refused to consider that option this year. An approach that has already been taken by other sports such as football. In order to minimise the risk of the virus spreading. Potentially one solution for the tournaments would be to host matches without spectators. “Personally, I think it’ll be like the flu and we’ll have to get used to it.” “Until they get a vaccine I can’t see how anyone is going to be playing.’ “No, I think this (the virus) is going to be around for a long time.” Rafter commented on the chances of the 2020 season resuming. However, Rafter doubts that either of those tournaments will happen. Meanwhile, the French Open is set to be played during the later part of September. The US Open is still optimistic that they can hold their tournament as scheduled later this summer. Many are now speculating as to when it will be possible for the tour to resume. For the first time since 1945 Wimbledon has been cancelled due to the situation. All professional tournaments have been suspended until July 13th due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s all good.”īesides reminiscing about his playing career with Eurosport, Rafter has also predicted a bleak outlook for this year’s tour. But that was back in the old days, emotions were running high and don’t take it personally. “I can’t remember the exact words, but we had a run-in in Cincinnati one year – I probably told him to grow up.” He recounted. Insisting that his rival never took what he said to him ‘personally.’ ![]() I wouldn’t go out for a beer with him, put it that way.’Ģ2 years on from the verbal exchange between the two, Rafter now describes it as a thing of the past. Prompting Rafter to famously say ‘h e’s becoming a bit of a crybaby.’ A few months before that comment, he admitted that his relationship with the American wasn’t solid by saying ‘ We’re not the best of mates. Sampras complained of a quadriceps injury following his loss to the Australian. Highlighted best by their encounter in the 1998 US Open semifinals. ![]() The rivalry between the two was tense at times. I enjoyed playing Andre Agassi the most – I thought we had a really good battle, I really enjoyed playing him.” “His record was the best so there’s no doubt about it Sampras the stand-out. “The toughest player I played against was definitely Pete Sampras – he did everything I did, only better.” Rafter told Eurosport. At one stage he lost to the 14-time grand slam champion eight times in a row. Rafter played Pete Sampras 16 times on the ATP Tour, but could only win four of those encounters. Rafter is also the last player outside of the Big Three to have won back-to-back US Open titles after triumphing in 19.ĭespite his successes, there was one player that caused him difficulty. His accolades include becoming the first player from his country in 28 years to reach the top of the ATP rankings in 1999 and becoming the first man to win the Rogers Cup, Cincinnati Masters and US Open within the same year. The 47-year-old was a star of Australian tennis during his playing days after achieving a series of milestones.
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