Carlos Alcaraz is the ‘player to beat’ on clay, says Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic believes Carlos Alcaraz is the ‘player to beat’ on clay as the Italian Open gets underway.

Djokovic is back competing after struggling with an elbow injury throughout the clay season so far, winning his opening match in Rome 7-6(5), 6-2 against Tomas Martin Etcheverry to keep his dream of winning a seventh Italian Open title alive.

No matter what happens in Rome, though, Alcaraz is set to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking after his victories at the Barcelona Open and Madrid Open. The 20-year-old currently boasts a record of 19-1 on clay this season.

‘’He [Alcaraz] has been playing some very impressive tennis," Djokovic said during a pre-tournament press conference.

"A great level. He’s the player to beat on this surface, no doubt. Of course, it depends if [Rafael] Nadal is going to play in French Open or not.

“But Alcaraz is one of the top favourites without any dilemma. He’s been playing fantastic tennis. We faced each other only once last year in Madrid.''

As the current world No. 1 and No. 2, Djokovic and Alcaraz could meet in the Italian Open final, and the 35-year-old revealed that he would look forward to the challenge.

‘’If we get a chance to face each other here, would be in finals. I think we would both love to play in the finals,’’ Djokovic added.

"It is strange that we haven’t been in the same draw since the beginning of the season. Due to the circumstances on both sides, that didn’t happen.

‘’He’s going to be No. 1 after this tournament whatever happens. Deservedly so.’’

When questioned about his elbow, Djokovic revealed everything is ‘all good’.

‘’It’s all good, it’s all good," he said.

"There are always some things here and there that bother you at this level. It’s normal.

"When you’re not 20-25 anymore, you experience that a bit more than what used to be the case.

“I feel good. Historically throughout my career, Rome has been a very nice tournament for me, I had success in it many times, got to finals.

"It’s my most successful clay-court event. Coming into the French Open it can be a great springboard for what’s coming up in Paris where I want to be at my best.’’