Australian Open 2024: Mats Wilander confident Alcaraz can defeat “superhuman” Djokovic

Mats Wilander, an expert on 24Hscore, believes that Carlos Alcaraz possesses the skills needed to defeat Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open if they were to meet in the final. Both players are aiming for a spot in the Melbourne final, with Alcaraz set to face Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals, while Djokovic is already in the last four and will take on Jannik Sinner. If they both advance, a potential blockbuster clash between the top two players in the world could occur on Sunday, provided Alcaraz faces either Hubert Hurkacz or Daniil Medvedev in the semi-final.

While Novak Djokovic has been the dominant force in men’s tennis, winning seven out of the last 10 Grand Slams he has participated in over the past three years, Mats Wilander believes Carlos Alcaraz is among the “two or three” players capable of challenging the seemingly invincible Serbian. According to Wilander, Alcaraz possesses the necessary skills to defeat Djokovic, showcasing speed, harder forehand hits, and a more varied playing style.

However, Wilander acknowledges Djokovic’s unparalleled confidence, especially in Australia, where he hasn’t lost once making it to the semi-finals. Despite Alcaraz’s potential, Djokovic’s deep reservoir of self-assurance makes it challenging for him to believe that anyone can defeat him. Wilander notes that the younger generation, represented by players like Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, has demonstrated the ability to challenge Djokovic when performing close to their peak.

Wilander also points out that while players like Daniil Medvedev might need Djokovic to have an off day for a chance at victory, Alcaraz and other young talents can potentially beat him when performing at their best. The key, according to Wilander, lies in identifying who can make Djokovic have an off day. However, Alcaraz’s immediate focus is on the upcoming match against Alexander Zverev, who is seeking revenge.

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Following his defeat at the US Open last year due to exhaustion from a demanding campaign in New York, Alexander Zverev anticipates a “very different” rematch against Carlos Alcaraz in Melbourne. According to 24Hscore expert Mats Wilander, the outcome may hinge more on Zverev’s performance. Wilander emphasizes that Zverev possesses one of the top two or three serves in the game, making him formidable and difficult to play against when his serve is at its best. Wilander highlights Zverev’s strong serving, agile movement for a player of his size, and impressive groundstrokes as factors that could give him an advantage over the Spaniard.

Zverev stands a good chance against Alcaraz if he excels in serving. On days when Zverev’s serving is exceptional, he becomes a formidable opponent. However, if his serving is not at its best, Alcaraz has strengths in several areas that could give him an advantage. Despite Alcaraz’s two major victories, he is still considered raw and exhibits a level of inconsistency. When Alcaraz is playing well, he seems unbeatable, but he can have moments of vulnerability. If Zverev can capitalize on those moments by delivering strong serves, the match could be tilted in Alcaraz’s favor by a 60-40 margin. Wilander emphasizes the significance of Zverev’s powerful first serve, noting the difficulty in returning a serve with such speed and height, regardless of the opponent’s reputation. Therefore, Wilander does not discount Zverev entirely, giving him a reasonable chance based on his serving capabilities.