Carlos Alcaraz hit with daunting reality check as Novak Djokovic strengthens tennis legacy

Carlos Alcaraz has been hit with a hard reality check after being told he will never catch Novak Djokovic’s 24 Grand Slam titles. The Spaniard won his second Major at Wimbledon this summer but former world No 7 Barbara Schett doubts he will ever catch Djokovic.

Alcaraz defeated Djokovic at the All England Club, ending the 36-year-old’s four-year streak and suggesting that rising young stars were ready to take over from the greats. However, Djokovic’s recent win has former professional tennis player Schett convinced the Serbian is here to stay.

“We will probably never witness this again. I mean, it is a long way for Carlos Alcaraz if he ever wants to get there! How many more weeks can he be the No 1 player in the world? I mean, we have to ask this question because I am just not sure if he is human anymore,” admitted Schett.

Djokovic’s defeat of Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final earned him his 24th Grand Slam title, equalling former world No 1 Margaret Court’s record. Djokovic is now two titles ahead of rival Rafael Nadal, and four ahead of now-retired legend Roger Federer.

Spanish former player Alex Corretja also praised Djokovic’s commitment to the game. The former world No 2 expressed his admiration for the Serbian’s resilience, and named Djokovic “the best” player of the year.

Corretja explained: “He has the feeling inside himself that he can keep on going. This year he has shown that he has been the best. I was very surprised when he won Roland Garros, just the way he played.

“Again today, he was suffering so much and fighting, but he was so precise in the important moments. He showed why he has 24 Grand Slams, and this is something that is unreal.

“It is very hard to explain because what he has achieved, we would have never even thought about it. I think this is unbelievable, and I am really emotional for him. He has shown as a human being many times that he can go very deep, and I appreciate that.”

Djokovic is set to return to action when he represents Serbia at the Davis Cup this weekend. Meanwhile, Alcaraz is skipping the event.