A great battle is expected between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 Tennis season where the two powerhouses will not only compete for four Grand Slams but also for the number one ranking at the upcoming Australian Open 2024, which will begin on January 14.
Djokovic could have won all four Grand Slams in the 2023 season but Alcaraz made sure that didn’t happen as the Serb was defeated by the Spaniard at Wimbledon final after a five-set battle.
Djokovic is currently No. 1 with 11,055 points while Alcaraz is ranked second with 8,855 points. However, the Serb has additionally 2000 points for winning the titles in 2023 which could change just as soon as the Australian Open starts.
While Djokovic will aim for his record-extending 25th Grand Slam, Alcaraz would be looking forward to winning his first in Australia and his third overall. If the Serb wins the title, he will maintain his no. 1 rank, however, should the Spaniard go all the way and clinched the title, he would trump the 36-year-old.
The points garnered from the previous year's Australian Open expire from the rankings on January 28, coinciding with the conclusion of this year's tournament.
Consequently, Djokovic will see a deduction of the 2,000 points he secured in the preceding edition. Alcaraz, who was absent from the 2023 event, stands to benefit significantly, creating a scenario where Medvedev could potentially reclaim the No. 1 spot, provided he clinches the title.
Here are the revised totals for the current top three, accounting for the subtraction of points from last year's Australian Open:
Novak Djokovic: 9,055 points
Carlos Alcaraz: 8,855
Daniil Medvedev: 7,465
Ideal scenarios for the No. 1 position
Novak Djokovic: Needs to secure the championship to ensure a definite retention of the No. 1 spot.
Carlos Alcaraz: Winning the title will propel him to the No. 1 position.
Daniil Medvedev: His path to No. 1 necessitates clinching the title.