Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic? Mats Wilander calls his number one in the world

“Carlos became number one because he caused a spectacle and was able to deal with the pressure he put on himself. He also won the US Open, which he also had to win to become the world number one,” says tennis legend Mats Wilander reviewed the Alcaraz season at Eurosport.

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic “only” came in second and fifth in the final ranking. In the case of the Serbs, this was mainly due to two special factors.

Wilander is sure that Djokovic would be enthroned at the top without these special features: “Yes, the circumstances stole him first place in the world rankings,” emphasizes the Swede, who now works as a TV expert at Eurosport.

Wilander questions the importance of the world rankings

At the same time, the seven-time Grand Slam tournament winner is questioning the importance of the world rankings at the end of the year. “I think we have to start thinking again about why it has to be important to be number one in the world at the end of the year,” said the 58-year-old.

“Novak was number one in the world for a few months in 2022 and Rafa was number one in the world for a few more months in 2022. Alcaraz was also at the top for other reasons,” Wilander is bothered by the method of emphasizing the world number one at the end of the season – especially since everyone the three professionals have different qualities and strengths.

Wilander: Let’s treat it to Alcaraz

“Nadal, for example, dominates in the clay court season and usually takes over the world rankings at this point. Djokovic, on the other hand, can convince more in hard court tournaments and as a result takes the top position during this time. With Alcaraz, a new player has now been added, who is in the US Open was able to fully exploit its potential and was thus at the top at the end of the year,” explains Wilander.

Ultimately, however, the current situation in the ranking is justified. “Should it have been Novak or Rafa? We don’t know. Let’s give it to Carlitos. I think he deserves to be at the top,” says Wilander.