Toughest Thing About Facing Djokovic

By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Monday, July 3, 2023

Facing Novak Djokovic on Roland Garros’ crimson clay was a punishing studying expertise for Carlos Alcaraz.

The 36-year-old Djokovic broke the 20-year-old Alcaraz’s legs down inflicting the Spanish phenom to cramp in his 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 semifinal conquest.  

Wimbledon Preview

Aiming for a rematch with seven-time Wimbledon winner Djokovic at The Championships, Alcaraz mentioned the only hardest job of dealing with Djokovic is dealing with the relentless strain he imposes over best-of-five units.

“The pressure. I would say the pressure that [Djokovic] put to everyone,” Alcaraz informed the media in his pre-Wimbledon presser. “You know, not only to me, to everyone to play at their best about three hours in a Grand Slam. I’m talking about the Grand Slam.

“I’ve to take care of that, however is one thing that I actually need it. I hope to play a ultimate right here in opposition to him. But for me, this most likely is the hardest factor dealing with Novak.”

The reigning US Open champion said Djokovic is even more devastating on grass because he does everything right.

“[Djokovic] do the issues actually, very easy,” Alcaraz said. “He strikes very well. He hits the ball very well, actually clearly. He has clear shot.

“It’s a mix of everything. I would say he doesn’t do anything wrong. He always make really easy everything. It’s really tough to find some weakness on his game.”

Cameron Norrie, who took a set off Djokovic within the 2022 Wimbledon semifinals, mentioned the Serbian’s means to reply from all areas of the courtroom makes opponents press much more.

“He’s always finishing better and better as the matches go on. I think over five sets, it’s obviously really tough to beat him,” Norrie mentioned of Djokovic. “You end up overplaying a little bit at times. He makes you hit such tough shots, even kind of easy shot balls, he makes you feel like you have to go for the perfect one.

“You can study loads from matches like that and taking part in with him. He performs at such a excessive stage. A whole lot of respect for him, particularly on this floor.”

So how will Alcaraz, who defeated Alex de Minaur to capture his maiden grass-court title at Queen’s Club last month, challenge Djokovic, who has not lost a Centre Court match in a decade?

Alcaraz aims to amp up his aggression on the SW19 lawns.

“I all the time say that I attempt to play aggressive on a regular basis. I feel my fashion, it is all the time to play aggressive,” Alcaraz said. “I feel that is an important factor right here on grass: to be aggressive, to attempt to go to the web, attempting to hit massive photographs.

“Coming here to Wimbledon with a lot of confidence, thinking that I’m able to do a good results here. But obviously for me the main favorite is Djokovic. That’s obviously.

“But my expectations are excessive. I feel I can put the strain on the opposite gamers, even Djokovic as nicely. But all I can say is I really feel with a variety of confidence and I really feel able to do good issues right here.”

Photo credit score: Mutua Madrid Open