The tennis world is hoping for another epic showdown between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic in the final of the US Open, but Tim Hemman is not convinced that the two top seeds will meet in the deciding match in New York.
After their epic Wimbledon final backed by a stunning showdown between Alcaraz and Djokovic in last Sunday’s Cincinnati Open final, former British No 1 Henman suggested we would be disappointed if we wait for a re-match. in Flushing Meadows.
Speaking in his role as a Sky Sports analyst as the UK and Ireland broadcaster prepares to return to tennis at the US Open, the 2004 semi-finalist in New York suggested other names to be involved in the second week of the final Grand Slam. in 2023.
“I’ll sign for another Alcaraz versus Djokovic final today, but I’m not thinking [it will be] a shoot-out between those two,” said Henman.
“On hard courts, there are many players who are capable of making it to the final. The depth is greater than grass, where you can count on two hands the number of players who can win.
“What Alcaraz did at Wimbledon was unbelievable. He beat him at his own game, but I still think Djokovic is the player to beat at the US Open.
“He won the first two Slams this year and was in the Wimbledon final. His record and experience are remarkable, but it’s good that we’re in the early stages of a new battle.
“They are in completely different stages of their career, but we hope they can play many times.”
Henman believes Alcaraz’s emergence as a real threat to Djokovic at the top of the men’s game will fuel the 23-time Grand Slam legend’s ambitions, as he argues the Serbian’s desire to win is his driving force. .
“When you’re talking about an athlete of Djokovic’s stature, I don’t think motivation has been or will be an issue,” he added.
“The players he beat and the opponents he had were amazing and if Alcaraz wasn’t there, Djokovic would say to himself that he can dominate now and win more and more.
“The way I think Djokovic will look at the emergence of Alcaraz is that he wants to prove to Alcaraz and prove to everyone that he is still the best.
“His hunger and desire is obvious for everyone to see and if that changes and he loses some of his desire, maybe he’ll stop, but I haven’t seen that happen in a few years.”
Djokovic’s dramatic win over Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s epic Cincinnati Open final has fueled the appetite for what could happen between the top two men’s players heading into the US Open and former British No 1 Johanna Konta insists that the famous Serbian has nothing to prove in New York.
“I really want Djokovic to reach 24 Grand Slams,” added Konta, as he backed the Serbian to win another major title. “I always support the top dog and not the underdog.
“I feel more than people expect to win because it’s more difficult. It’s harder to achieve and keep achieving again and again like these players.
“Why don’t you root for that? Djokovic doesn’t have a point to prove against anyone, but he wants to win again for himself.
“He lost a good (Wimbledon) final against a good player who could be the future of our game, but I just hope he gets to 24 and hopefully a few more after that.
The US Open returns exclusively to Sky Sports and NOW with access to all court feeds from August 28.