Novak Djokovic 'cannot call' Carlos Alcaraz biggest rival ahead of French Open as it 'is still Rafael Nadal'

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has addressed the current rivalry that is being hyped up between him and Carlos Alcaraz and insisted that he still considers Rafael Nadal to be his «biggest rival» on the ATP Tour. Djokovic has already broken Roger Federer’s record of 310 weeks as men’s world No.

1 and is set to surpass WTA Tour legend Steffi Graf's remarkable tally when he moves to 378 weeks at the top on Monday. Ad The 35-year-old is currently tied with Rafael Nadal on 22 Grand Slam singles titles and is constantly being compared to Alcaraz with the pair locked in a head-to-head battle at the top of the ATP rankings as the clay-court season gets into full flow ahead of Roland-Garros. ATP Rio de JaneiroAlcaraz gives views on 'pressure to fight with Djokovic to be the No.

1'AN HOUR AGO But looking ahead to the second Grand Slam of the season in Paris and beyond, Djokovic has reiterated something he has said many times before, that Nadal is the player he considers to be his greatest rival in the sport. «Alcaraz is playing at a great level,» Djokovic told members of the media in Belgrade. I mean, especially after several months of absence from the tour with injuries that he was struggling with.

«It's amazing that he is able to find the top level right away. That is actually a characteristic of a mature player. He doesn't have so much experience, but he is showing maturity very early on, and with the way he handles himself on and off the court.

»He is a great guy and has a very good team of people around him. He deserves all his success and he is, I think, bringing some new, fresh energy into tennis, you know. He is a very dynamic player and personality and is very liked all around the world.