French Open Director Cites Novak Djokovic’s Example While Giving Verdict on Carlos Alcaraz’s Desire to ‘Enjoy Life Differently’

Carlos Alcaraz is gearing up for the French Open, while Novak Djokovic will be playing the ATP 250 Geneva Open, before the clay-court Major.

French Open Director Cites Novak Djokovic’s Example While Giving Verdict on Carlos Alcaraz’s Desire to ‘Enjoy Life Differently’

Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/We Are Tennis, Carlos Alcaraz Daily)

Carlos Alcaraz wants to enjoy life and doesn’t want to see tennis as an obligation. He doesn’t want to be a ‘slave’ to tennis. Alcaraz has often criticized the 11-month schedule, blaming it for not giving enough free time to the players as well as time to practice before tournaments.

French Open director Amelie Mauresmo understands why Alcaraz feels this way and lauded Novak Djokovic‘s dedication to the sport. In 2023, after losing the five-set French Open final to 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic, Alcaraz spent three days partying in Ibiza against the wishes of his team members, including coach Juan Carlos Ferrero.

He's young. He's very young, and he knows he can also make tennis history. But there's also another voice that says, 'Yes, I'm 20 or 21. I want to live my life. I want to enjoy it differently.' I understand. It's human. And it also shows that it's not easy to make these decisions. And it's not easy on a daily basis. And it shows, in my opinion, the dedication that older players like Novak Djokovic have and that they've shown throughout their 20-year careers.
Amelie Mauresmo said (H/T: We Love Tennis)

Alcaraz recently lifted his first Italian Open title by defeating his biggest rival Jannik Sinner in straight sets. It was his seventh Masters 1000 title and his third trophy of the season following the Rotterdam Open and the Monte Carlo Masters.

The World No.3, who now holds a 7-4 head-to-head record over Sinner, will be entering the French Open (starts on May 25th) as a defending champion. Last year, after knocking out the World No.1 in the semifinals, he beat World No.3 Alexander Zverev to lift his first title at Roland Garros.

Amelie Mauresmo makes her feelings known on Novak Djokovic’s split with Andy Murray

Novak Djokovic has ended his coaching partnership with Andy Murray as the Serb did not win a title and also lost three matches twice in a row, including in the two Masters 1000 ones in Monte Carlo and Madrid, failing to win a set. Amelie Mauresmo said that she wanted them to work together during the French Open.

Andy Murray Novak Djokovic (1)
Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic (Image via ATP/X)
No, I'm happy that he had this experience with Novak. I think you learn a lot in yourself also when you go on the other side of the fence. I would have loved to see them both here and working together. I would have liked to witness this here in Roland-Garros.
Amelie Mauresmo via Eurosport France

Murray joined his team last November after hanging up his racket at the Paris Olympics. The Australian Open was their first tournament. Under Murray, Djokovic reached the semifinal of the Melbourne Slam but was forced to quit after losing the first set against Alexander Zverev because of an injury. Djokovic also made it to the final of the Miami Open but lost the title to Jakub Mensik.

Novak Djokovic is playing at the Geneva Open

Novak Djokovic will chase his 100th ATP title at the Geneva Open, his first tournament since his defeat to Matteo Arnaldi in the Madrid Open. Djokovic had participated in the tournament last year as well (lost to Tomas Machac in the semifinals).

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

This season, the 37-year-old will be locking horns with Marton Fucsovics in the second round to kick-start his campaign. He has won all the five matches he has played against the Hungarian ace.

Djokovic hasn’t yet lifted a title since winning the gold medal at last year’s Paris Olympics. Since then, he reached two finals (in Masters 1000 ones): Shanghai Masters and the Miami Open, losing both to Jannik Sinner and Jakub Mensik. Djokovic last lifted a Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open and since lifting his 24th Major, he reached a Grand Slam final only once, at the 2024 Wimbledon.

Also Read: French Open Director Aims to ‘Surprise’ Rafael Nadal During Tribute Ceremony in Paris