Novak Djokovic is an ageless warrior, someone who doesn’t succumb to the adversity and challenges that any other athlete in his place would. The Serbian stalwart has risen from the brink of elimination many times in his career, akin to how a Phoenix ascends from the ashes.
His mental fortitude and perseverance have won him many plaudits from fans, celebrities, and fellow athletes. After producing yet another performance this past week that had the tennis world reeling in admiration, Novak Djokovic has earned a new admirer, one with whom he has built a fierce rivalry in 2023.
Carlos Alcaraz joins the list of admirers for Djokovic
Former world no.1 Justin Henin, an eight-time grand slam winner, Goran Ivanisevic, and current world no.3 Daniil Medvedev have all had words of high praise for the 23-time major champion. On top of that, it looks like Djokovic has another admirer, one that has all the promises to be the world’s best.
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are not your likely confidants. In the past year alone, they have produced three epic, record-breaking matches together. Such a top-tier, elite sports rivalry is bound to produce some animosity among them.
However, that is far from the case as both athletes have appreciated each other numerous times. Djokovic called Alcaraz an ‘incredible person’ and a ‘champion’ after his Cincinnati win, while Alcaraz praised the Serbian as an ‘inspiration’ and a ‘hero’ after his Wimbledon triumph. Now, Carlos Alcaraz has come out in the open and admitted that what the Serbian has displayed in the US Open is incredible.
Carlos Alcaraz has admiration for Novak Djokovic:
“36 years old. Doing the same things he did when he was 20. He’s incredible. You have to give credit about that. It’s something admirable.” pic.twitter.com/9npkCsRhOp
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 2, 2023
Alcaraz was talking to the press after his third-round match against Dan Evans in a noisy Arthur Ashe Stadium, where the Spaniard thwarted Evan’s attempt at a comeback to win 6-2, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. Knowing what it takes to produce a successful comeback, Alcaraz was in awe of Djokovic when asked about the Serbian’s third-round match.
“When I went to bed, I knew Novak was going to come back. He has shown once again that he is one of the best in history. It was something crazy. I was his performance some 6, 7 times.”, Alcaraz stated.
“Being 36 years old and doing the same things as when he was 20 is incredible. And we have to give credit for that and it’s something admirable.”
Alcaraz will face 22-year-old Matteo Arnaldi for a place in the quarter-final after the Italian upset 16th seed Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.
Djokovic survives two-set deficit in a grueling US Open battle
A day before Alcaraz’s clash, Novak Djokovic took center stage at Arthur Ashe Stadium for a battle against fellow Serbian and world no.76 Laslo Djere. On paper, the divide between the two players was a crevasse, and fans thronged the stands expecting the Cincinnati champion to roll over his opponent in typical ‘Djoker’ style.
Novak Djokovic did win, but it was a far cry from an easy victory. The match finished with the scoreline reading 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3.
Forced deep behind the baseline in the first set due to Djere’s fierce hitting, Djokovic found it hard to suppress his opponent’s gameplay. The No. 32 seed earned 18 of his 20 first-serve points in the second set and held every service game in the first two sets. At 2 sets down, Djokovic took a bathroom break where his tactics in the toilet reconditioned his mindset in order to attempt an incredible comeback.
In the third set, he broke Djere immediately. Djere battled hard, and the two Serbians often played high-octane, lengthy rallies. But, it was becoming apparent to everyone present in the stadium that Djokovic was beginning to display his A-game, the sort of play that we are used to seeing having witnessed over his 23 grand slam-winning career. Djere’s shots no longer produced the expected results anymore as Novak Djokovic seized back control of the game and eventually sealed a remarkable victory.
“I hope you enjoyed the show, it was not so enjoyable for me, especially in the first two sets,” Djokovic told the crowd.
“It was one of the toughest matches I have played here in many years. Huge, huge credit to Laslo for playing some of the best tennis that I’ve ever seen him play.”
Djokovic will face Borna Gojo of Croatia in the Round of 16, who defeated Jiri Vesely 6-4, 6-3, 6-2.
What are your opinions on the match? How entertaining would it be to see a showdown between Djokovic and Alcaraz again? Let us know in the comments section below.
