The stage is set, and the countdown has already started. The top 2 in men’s singles tennis will lock horns later today in an exhibition match at the Kingdom Arena. Both Novak Djoković and Carlos Alcaraz have faced each other 4 times this year. Who’ll win it this time? This is going to be a perfect appetizer before the main course which kick starts from January 14 at Melbourne Park. The match is a part of the Riyadh Season Tennis Cup, a festival organized by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority.

Talking about organizing a tennis event in Saudi Arabia, well, this has been a debatable topic over the last few months. Several controversies have arisen due to alleged meager human rights in the Kingdom. And, amid all these, Novak Djoković recently gave his take on Saudi Arabia as a host.

Novak Djoković finally opens up on Saudi Arabia hosting numerous global events amid controversies

A few days back, both Novak Djoković and Carlos Alcaraz faced the heat from the fans after they announced their participation in an exhibition match in Saudi Arabia. However, these didn’t stop the world number one from his first visit to Saudi Arabia. Although the Serb found it difficult to adjust to the scorching heat in the Middle-east country, he expressed his keen interest in experiencing Saudi culture and history.

Novak Djoković said, “I’m thrilled to see Saudi Arabia opening its doors to the world’s best athletes, entertainers and business leaders. Looking forward to returning before 2030 (Expo) for a more in-depth exploration.” The 24-time Grand Slam winner highlighted the significance of securing the bid for the World Expo 2030. Djoković mentioned how important the platform is for showcasing the cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia on a global stage.

Coming back to tennis, well the clash between the world number one and number two is going to be one of the most lucrative single-match face-offs in the history of the game. Novak Djoković reflected on the significance of such a mega event for the future of the sport in the country. Saudis are excited to witness the two best in the business and who’ll get the upper hand this time?

READ MORE: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz Riyadh Exhibition: When and Where to Watch, Live Streaming, TV Details

Djokovic vs Alcaraz is always an exciting match to watch

These two have never disappointed their fans whenever they met. Although Novak Djoković leads the H2H by a 3-2 margin. But the 20-year-old Spaniard is more than ready to pounce on the world number one. Alcaraz had already lost his top spot this year to the Serbian and now he’d look to set the tone for the rest of the year with a win. Can he do that?

Well, the Wimbledon Championship this year is a perfect answer to this question. Alcaraz had defeated Djoković in a thrilling encounter, which lasted for more than 5 hours to secure the second major title of his career. Although Djoković made a comeback later on, keep an eye on this epic clash, which starts at 6 pm local time (10 am ET). Let us know who are you rooting for in this match.

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