US Open 2023: Why is defending the title tough for Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz?

World number one Tennis star Carlos Alcaraz recently defeated his Serbian opponent and second-seeded Novak Djokovic in the finals of the Wimbledon 2023. Djokovic holds the record of winning the most Tennis Grand Slams in the world and was also the favourite to lift the All England Tennis Championships Trophy against Alcaraz. However, the 20-year-old Spanish Tennis player has not been in good form in recent days and will have added pressure when he will walk onto the court to defend his US Open title. 

3 things you need to know 

• US Open 2023 begins from August 28, 2023 
• Carlos Alcaraz is the defending champion of the US Open 
• Novak Djokovic will look to regain his US Open title and will mark his return to the Grand Slam 

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Carlos Alcaraz's maiden Wimbledon title 

(Carlos Alcaraz during the Canadian Open match against USA's Tommy Paul / Image: AP) 

Spanish Tennis star Carlos Alcaraz will once again walk in as a favourite to win the US Open 2023, being the defending champions of the tournament. Alcaraz, also edged past veteran Tennis player Novak Djokovic in the finals of the Wimbledon 2023, to win his first-ever tournament title. However, this time defending the year's last Grand Slam will not be easy for Alcaraz.

Why defending the US Open 2023 will be tough for Carlos Alcaraz?

A look at the reasons, why defending the US Open title is one of the toughest jobs for Carlos Alcaraz this year: 

• Spanish Tennis star Carlos Alcaraz after the Wimbledon glory has not been in good form and lost to a low-seeded player in the quarterfinals of the Canadien Open 2023.  The young Tennis star lost by a scoreline of 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 to USA's Tommy Paul, and his loss has come at a time when the last Grand Slam of the year is just one a few weeks away. 
• On the other hand, Novak Djokovic will make a return to the US Open, as he was not to mark his presence at the last Grand Slam of the year due to his refusal from taking the COVID-19 vaccine. However. Djokovic will make a return to the tournament this year and will aim to increase his Grand Slam count to 25. 
• As Carlos Alcaraz is the defending champion of the US Open, he will have an extra added pressure to defend the title. The world number one Tennis player is coming off after defeating one of the greatest Novak Djokovic, who will also look to avenge his defeat, which will also make the task tougher for Alcaraz. 

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The US Open 2023 will begin from August 28, 2023, and will conclude on September 10, 2023. The year's last Tennis Grand Slam will be played at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.