They occupy the top two spots in the world ATP rankings and are the main favorites to win the first Grand Slam of the season.
The two best rackets in the world will face each other this next Tuesday, December 26starting at 16:00 (Spanish time) in an exhibition match -the Tennis Cup- in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). It can be followed live through DAZN.
On the one hand, Nole, current number 1 in the world ranking and winner of 24 Grand Slams; for the other, Carlitos, a young man who has already exceeded expectations and has won Wimbledon and the US Open at the age of 20.
It is unknown how many years the Balkan tennis player still has left in his tank, but the truth is that his rivalry With the Murcian it has already become one of the most attractive in the world of sports.
H2H favors Nole
Nole Both players have seen each other in 5 occasions: 3 victories for the Serbian and 2 for Spanish.
The first match was at 2022 Mutua Madrid Open semifinals. A memorable three-set match, which lasted for 3 hours and 38 minutes and left for posterity one of the best shows in the history of the tournament. That May 7th, Carlitos He won 6-7(5), 7-5 and 7-6(5).
Already in 2023, the one from Belgrade managed in Roland Garros debut their record of victories against El Palmar, although that duel was marked by the Spaniard’s injury when everything was tied at one set.
In July, Carlitos was proclaimed Wimbledon champion after beating the Serbian in the final, but the last two bets have fallen to the side of the current world number 1, both in Cincinnatias the Masters Cup.
The most important match fell on the Spanish side
If the Madrid semis were to be watched on a loop over and over again, it goes without saying that the final of Wimbledon last July 16th.
On the grass of the London tournament, the same one that has seen crowned Nole On 7 occasions (one shy of the record), the Murcian right-hander made a comeback for the ages.
He started losing without palliatives due to 6-1 in the first round, but he recovered to score the second by 7-6(6)a tie break that could have almost certainly changed the course of the afternoon.
The third set also fell to the Spanish side, 6-1although the Balkan added spice to the clash after taking 6-3 the fourth partial. In the final fifth set, Carlitos he broke his rival’s serve in the second turn and ended up winning by 6-4.
The careers of each other, in perspective
It will be many years until Carlitos may come close to the numbers and records that the one from Belgrade has achieved throughout his career, but the fact that his record already includes 2 Grand Slams at 20 years oldare nothing more than a great illusion for the future.
- GRAND SLAMS:Nole 24 – 2 Carlitos
- MASTERS 1000:Nole 40 – 4 Carlitos
- TOTAL TITLES:Nole 98 – 12 Carlitos
- OLYMPIC GAMES: Nole has 1 bronze, Carlitos has not participated yet
- WEEKS AT NUMBER 1: Nole 404 – 36 Carlitos