:focal(1745x1171.5:1755x1161.5):watermark(cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ipmgroup/6LJWAO74QZHR7KW5AX2LGSOHQQ.png,0,-0,0,100)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ipmgroup/W4TVYIUHSFGMRDL7WPD7CREVYU.jpg "The race for the throne is on: here’s how Alcaraz or Tsitsipas can become world number one")
Prohibited from entering the territory of the United States since not vaccinated against Covid-19, Novak Djokovic will not only miss the next two Masters 1000, organized in Indian Wells and Miami. The 35-year-old will also miss two good opportunities to take points. The cards are therefore reshuffled in the race for the world throne. But the mission is far from obvious for its competitors…
Two men can dislodge the Serb from first place: Carlos Alcaraz (ATP 2) and Stefanos Tsitsipas (ATP 3).
To find a crown that he has already worn for twenty weeks, the Spaniard must win the Indian Wells Masters 1000 which begins this Wednesday. For what ? Because according to the live standings, from which the Indian Wells 2022 points are already deducted, the 19-year-old has 6,430 points. It is 730 units less than Novak Djokovic. Thanks to the 1,000 points awarded to the winner, Carlos Alcaraz would therefore pass in front of the native of Belgrade at the end of the tournament.
If he fails, the Murcian cannot count on a possible catch-up session during the Miami Masters 1000 (March 22 to April 2), where Djokovic will also be absent. The reason is simple: Alcaraz is the defending champion in Florida. He must therefore defend the 1,000 points of his trophy won last year.
Under these conditions, if he were to remove Indian Wells, he will therefore have to win Miami in order to leave the United States with this number one status. Achieving the Double Sunshine, only Jim Courier, Michael Chang, Pete Sampras, Marcelo Rios, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have achieved it so far. However, we do not know in what physical condition the Murcian arrived in California. Injured in the hamstring of the right thigh during the final of the Rio Open on February 26, he had to give up competing in the ATP 500 in Acapulco last week.
Carlos Alcaraz can become world No. 1 again after the @BNPPARIBASOPEN d’Indian Wells !
👉 He must win the tournament.
His potential path:
R1 vs Bye
R2 vs Holt
R3 vs greek track
1/8 vs Carreno-Busta
1/4 vs Auger-Aliassime
1/2 vs Rune
Final vs TsitsipasHe can do it ? pic.twitter.com/YdxuQ3jiwq
— We Are Tennis France (@WeAreTennisFR) March 7, 2023
Tsitsipas must sign a victory and a final
For Stefanos Tsitsipas, the project is just as ambitious. The Greek must win in one of the two American Masters 1000 and reach the final of the other to climb to first place in the world rankings. Which would be a big first for him.
Signing a success and a final in the next two competitions would also be quite an achievement for the 24-year-old player. So far, including Indian Wells and Miami, he has never reached the quarter-finals. It was in 2021.
