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Rafa Nadal, a 14-time champion at Roland Garros,
has been dealing with a hip injury he suffered at the Australian
Open in January and fears are growing the Spaniard may miss the
Paris Grand Slam.
Djokovic, 35, told reporters in Rome that Alcaraz was worthy of
the number one ranking.
"He's going to be number one after this tournament whatever
happens. Deservedly so," he added. "He has been playing some
very impressive tennis, a great level. He's the player to beat
on this surface, no doubt.
"Of course, it depends on if Nadal is going to play in the
French Open or not. But Alcaraz is one of the top favourites
without any dilemma."
Djokovic, who skipped the American hardcourt swing as he was
unvaccinated for COVID-19, said he hoped to reignite his rivalry
with U.S. Open champion Alcaraz with a potential final meeting
on the cards in Rome.
"We faced each other only once last year in Madrid," said
Djokovic, who lost that match in three sets. "If we get a chance
to face each other here, it would be in the final. I think we
would both love to play in the final."
The 22-times Grand Slam champion, who plays Tomas Martin
Etcheverry later on Friday, said he had overcome a right elbow
problem that kept him out of Madrid.
"It's all good. There's always some things here and there that
bother you at this level. It's normal," Djokovic said.
"When you're not 25 anymore, I guess you experience that a bit
more than what used to be the case. It takes a bit more time to
recover."
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter
Rutherford)
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