Carlos Alcaraz was unable to defend his US Open title and as a result was replaced at world number one by Novak Djokovic, who went on to be crowned champion at Flushing Meadows.

Carlos Alcaraz 2024 Grand Slam wins:

Djokovic taking his tally to a record-breaking 24 men's Grand Slam singles titles could spur Alcaraz on to work even harder over the winter and the Spanish phenomenon will know he has what it takes to match Djokovic having got the better of him in the Wimbledon final in July.

It is still early days in the development of the 20-year-old from Murcia, but he has already lifted two Grand Slam titles, having made his breakthrough at the US Open in 2022 and followed up with victory at Wimbledon this summer.

Alcaraz is expected to pose the main challenge to Djokovic against next season and it is 5/2 that he wins only one Grand Slam for the third season running in 2024.

It is 5/6 about the Spanish youngster failing to win any, while it is 9/2 for him to claim two and 9/1 for him to enhance his growing reputation with three major victories.

German icon Steffi Graff was the last player to be crowned with the Calendar Slam achievement back 1998, but it is 20/1 for Alcaraz to record that landmark next season.

On four occasions, including this year, Djokovic has won three Grand Slam titles in a single season and the perfectionist that is Alcaraz will be keen to time go one better at some point in the future.

Alcaraz hoping to build on successful 2023

Despite only winning one of the four Grand Slam titles in 2023, it should be considered a successful year for Alcaraz, who confirmed on countless occasions that he is the future of the sport.

Alcaraz is armed with all the shots and he has now proved himself completely versatile regarding the surface, having been crowned champion on the hallowed turf of Wimbledon.

Clay was initially believed to be the Spaniard’s strongest surface, but his US Open win in 2022 suggested otherwise and it means that he is going to be a live title contender in any Grand Slam he lines up in.

Many expect Alcaraz to follow in the footsteps of Rafael Nadal and carry the Spanish baton once his legendary compatriot calls time on a glittering career.

And there is no reason to think otherwise, especially with Djokovic also closing in on the end of his playing days.

Alcaraz was forced to miss the Australian Open in January due to injury, but he made up for lost time and made at least the semi-finals in each of the other three Grand Slams.

The Spanish sensation won six titles in 2023, which included Masters 1000 events on the clay in Madrid and on a hardcourt at Indian Wells.

That highlights his versatility and means Alcaraz has now lifted 12 career titles on the ATP Tour.

His overall record this season read 58 wins and only seven defeats, a sequence of results that has seen him pick up $9,312,064 in prize money.

Spanish superstar keen to hit ground running

Having been forced to miss this year’s trip to Melbourne with an abdominal injury he picked up at the Paris Masters, Alcaraz may be fully motivated to hit the ground running in 2024.

The world number two has not had the best of luck in Melbourne Park, with his two previous visits resulting in a second-round exit followed by a third-round loss.

Alcaraz is 9/4 to kickstart the 2024 campaign with a maiden victory at the Australian Open, while he is 6/4 to win the French Open, where he was beaten in four sets by fierce rival Djokovic in the last-four this year.

The young gun has lifted seven of his 12 career titles on the clay, so is evidently at complete ease on the slower surface.

Meanwhile, Alcaraz is 6/4 to successfully defend his Wimbledon title and 6/4 to regain his US Open crown from Djokovic.

bet365 News Team

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