Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz rivalry could finally reignite in Rome

O ver the past 10 months, the duality of the ATP tour has been exasperating. Two exceptional players have pieced together dominant runs across multiple surfaces, clearly distinguishing themselves from the rest of the field, trading the No 1 ranking back and forth. And yet, in this same period, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz have avoided each other the entire way.

Since he rediscovered his killer instinct, Djokovic’s results have read like a vintage season even on the eve of his 36th birthday. Djokovic has compiled a 43-5 record in individual events since losing to Rafael Nadal in the French Open quarter-finals last year. He has won Wimbledon and the Australian Open among six titles in total.

As Djokovic re-established his high standards, a new star blazed his own path. Alcaraz won the US Open last year and ended one of the all-time great breakout seasons by becoming the first men’s teenage world No 1. This year, he is 29-2. The 20-year-old now has four Masters 1000 titles, a grand slam and 10 titles overall having started 2022 with one to his name.

Not only have the pair failed to meet since Alcaraz beat Nadal and Djokovic back-to-back en route to winning the Madrid Open last May, but they have barely even competed in the same big tournaments together. While Djokovic was barred from the United States as Alcaraz won the US Open and Indian Wells, Alcaraz was injured while Djokovic swept up the ATP Finals and Australian Open. A year ago, Alcaraz skipped Rome after his Madrid heroics, and Djokovic won the title. This year Djokovic’s elbow injury ruled him out of Madrid as Alcaraz clinched the title.

Finally, men’s tennis’s long-distance rivalry is coming together. This week’s Italian Open will mark the first time in