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Carlos Alcaraz has been warned that his big goal for the end of the season could be ruined by Novak Djokovic. The Spaniard is bidding to regain the world No 1 spot before the end of 2023 but Alex Corretja believes that Djokovic is the favourite to win the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals which would keep him at the top. The retired tennis star claimed that the 36-year-old was a \u201cmaster\u201d when it came to plotting his schedule, something that would help him lift more titles.<\/p>\n
Alcaraz has been vocal about his hopes of ending the year as No 1 for the second season in a row. Djokovic surpassed him in the rankings at the conclusion of the US Open and the 20-year-old has been chasing him ever since, admitting that he thinks about the Serb and the No 1 spot \u201cin training and at every tournament\u201d.<\/p>\n
Currently ranked at No 2, Alcaraz\u2019s chances of returning to the top took a big blow when he suffered some disappointing defeats during the Asian swing, crashing out in the semi-final of the China Open and the round of 16 at the Shanghai Masters. And his dreams of the No 1 ranking could be over if Djokovic wins the last two tournaments of the year – something Corretja believes he could do.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he should be probably one of the biggest contenders or the biggest contender to win the two finals in Turin and in Bercy,\u201d the former world No 2 told Eurosport. \u201cHe’s been playing so well through the whole season that he’s got so much confidence that whenever he steps on the court, I think he feels that if he’s ready, he’s going to be almost unbeatable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive tennis news<\/strong><\/p>\n Just in <\/strong> Emma Raducanu comeback verdict given by US Open victim[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n Corretja thought that Djokovic\u2019s chances were thanks in part to his clever scheduling, branding the 24-time Grand Slam champion a \u201cmaster\u201d of plotting his tennis season. He continued: \u201cI think Djokovic is the master of the calendar because he knows exactly what he needs to do in every moment.<\/p>\n \u201cBut in order to do that, you need to know your body, you need to know your game. You need to know exactly where is your pick, at which moments. So I think Novak does that very well, but at the same time, it’s very difficult because it’s not easy not to compete a month and a half and then show up and be ready to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n Djokovic has enjoyed success following periods of absence from the tour in the past and will be looking to do the same when he returns to action at the Paris Masters after pulling out of the Asian swing. The world No 1 has not played since Serbia\u2019s Davis Cup group tie last month, which came days after he won the US Open.<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/72\/590x\/secondary\/5016233.jpg?r=1697531529328\")
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