By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday July 16, 2023

After a devastating loss to Novak Djokovic at Roland-Garros, one wherein Carlos Alcaraz couldn’t ship his finest tennis as his physique let him down after simply two units of his 6-3, 5-7, 6-1 6-1 defeat by the hands of the 23-time Grand Slam champion, the Spaniard took a tough look within the mirror and emerged a extra resilient participant.

Even on Sunday morning, as he ready to face Djokovic within the Wimbledon last, Alcaraz wasn’t positive that he may take down the person who has dominated Wimbledon’s Centre Court like no different within the final decade.

“Before this match, I thought I can't beat Novak,” Alcaraz admitted in his post-match press convention. “But after this epic match I think different about Novak in the way that probably in other tournaments, in other Grand Slams, I will remember this moment.

“I will think that I'm ready to play five sets against him, good rallies, good sets, really long, long matches, and stay there physically, mentally, in tennis, in general – probably it change my mind a little bit after this match.”

Gone are the times when Alcaraz doesn’t imagine he matches up with Grand Slam juggernaut Djokovic on the Slams. He produced eye-opening tennis within the second-set tiebreak (snapping Djokovic's streak of 15 Grand Slam tiebreaks gained), then raised his degree once more in a 27-minute marathon recreation within the third set.

Finally, bolstered by confidence accrued, Alcaraz placed on a present within the fifth set to supply an epic victory.

Alcaraz was convincing below strain, taking part in with the readability and braveness of a veteran as he took the play to Djokovic to turn into the primary man to defeat Djokovic in a five-set Grand Slam last since Andy Murray on the 2012 US Open.

What did the 20-year-old study from the expertise?

“That I'm really capable of doing the things that I did today,” he stated. “Probably before this match, I thought that I wasn't ready to beat Djokovic in five sets, an epic match like this. To stay good physically or good mentally about five hours against a legend.”

Alcaraz says he approached this last in another way than the pair’s Roland-Garros semifinal. In Paris realized the arduous means in regards to the impact that nerves and nervousness can have on his efficiency, and made positive he was capable of stand as much as the strain, each mentally and bodily.

“I am totally different player than French Open,” he stated. “I grew up a lot since that moment. I learned a lot from that moment. As I said before the final, I took lesson from that match. I did something different before the match. I prepared a little bit different mentally before the match. I could deal with the pressure, the nerves, better than I did in French Open.”

Now his confidence ought to solely develop, after one of the vital spectacular victories ever notched by a participant towards his age – towards an absolute legend, in his prime.

“Beating Novak at his best, in this stage, making history, being the guy to beat him after 10 years unbeaten on that court, is amazing for me,” he stated. “It's something that I will never forget, that's for sure. As I said, it's great for the new generation, as well, I think to see me beating him and making them think that they are capable to do it, as well.

“It's great for me and I think for the young players, as well.”

Content Source: www.tennisnow.com