Fearless Alcaraz can present next-gen find out how to topple Djokovic, say sports activities psychology specialists

BENGALURU, Feb 28 (Reuters) – As the all-conquering Novak Djokovic continues to solid a shadow on the subsequent technology, teenager Carlos Alcaraz’s fearless method marks him out as a participant with the potential to dethrone him, sports activities psychology specialists have advised Reuters.

Djokovic will flip 36 in May however has barely slowed down and outclassed Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight units within the Australian Open closing final month to seize a record-extending tenth crown at Melbourne Park.

The Serbian mowed down considerably youthful rivals en path to his twenty second Grand Slam title, all of the whereas managing a hamstring tear, prompting his coach Goran Ivanisevic to say he may rule the game for a number of extra years.

Djokovic is now into his 378th week because the world primary, surpassing Steffi Graf’s document for essentially the most weeks on the high of the game, a feat that prompted a few of his younger rivals to specific adoration and again him to interrupt extra data.

Florida-based Patrick Cohn, who teaches psychological abilities and sports activities psychology strategies to skilled athletes, mentioned he was not shocked Djokovic was nonetheless dominating the subsequent technology.

“The tennis greats can be intimidating to younger players who idolised them growing up,” mentioned Cohn, who has labored with tennis gamers, NASCAR drivers, the Miami Dolphins in addition to golfers on the PGA Tour.

Cohn believes younger gamers should depend on higher preparation, ways and develop a stronger psychological sport to topple Djokovic.

“They have to believe he’s not a god and they can win,” Cohn added. “They must be aware of placing him on a pedestal and considering he cannot be beat.

“When enjoying a high participant, the one factor that is necessary is ways and mindset, not the truth that he is gained a number of Grand Slams. I counsel to youthful gamers that they view opponents as anonymous and rankless.”

NOT INTIMIDATED

Cohn said the current crop of young challengers could not be written off and he believes that the 19-year-old Alcaraz, who became the youngest number one after his U.S. Open triumph last year, could be the player who ultimately dethrones Djokovic.

“Alcaraz is fearless and never intimidated by gamers with a lot better expertise,” Cohn said. “He performs his sport regardless of the opponent and does not implode mentally.”

Alcaraz’s injury absence from the year’s first major allowed Djokovic to leapfrog him to top spot. But the Spaniard gave fans a glimpse of his powers by beating Djokovic in their only meeting in Madrid last year.

Former tennis participant Jeff Greenwald, now a sports activities psychology marketing consultant, mentioned the Spanish world quantity two possessed uncommon qualities required to excel on the elite stage.

“Alcaraz is the one who demonstrates versatility that a few of the others gamers do not have, together with having the ability to play unimaginable offence beneath strain and play fearless tennis,” Greenwald mentioned.

“He does not appear to have the emotional ups and downs that a few of the others can have at occasions as a result of tennis is a tough sport and so they’re solely human.

“He seems to have a uniquely helpful temperament for high-level tennis and the style to match. He will be a contender and likely one of the players who begins to take a bite out of Djokovic.”

Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru
Editing by Toby Davis

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.