Carlos Alcaraz reveals his relationship with Novak Djokovic amidst intense rivalry

Carlos Alcaraz spoke about his good friendship with Novak Djokovic off the court and their intense rivalry on the court.

Carlos Alcaraz reveals his relationship with Novak Djokovic amidst intense rivalry

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz (Image via Imago)

Carlos Alcaraz has revealed that he has a good friendship with Novak Djokovic off the court. However, on the court, the Spaniard relishes the intense rivalry with the Serbian, with both projected for a possible US Open final meeting this fortnight.

Djokovic and Alcaraz, who have a 16-year age gap, produce some of the best tennis action on the ATP tour every time they go head-to-head. They have faced each other seven times, with Alcaraz winning thrice and Djokovic four times. In November last year, Djokovic beat the Spaniard 6-3, 6-2 in the semifinals of the ATP Finals.

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Alcaraz got the better of the 37-year-old in the Wimbledon final, winning 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(4). A few weeks later, they met in the Paris Olympics singles final where Novak Djokovic played his best match of the season to beat the 21-year-old 7-6(3), 7-6(2) and clinch the gold medal.

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After his first-round win at the 2024 US Open, Alcaraz revealed that he is on good terms with Novak Djokovic on the court and relishes their battles on the court.

Obviously we have a good rivalry. Every time we step on the court we play really high level tennis. Every time we faced each other it’s been a really good and intense match. We have really good friendship off court. We talk a lot in the locker room every time we see each other around. with his team as well. Once we step on court, there are no friends on tour. Outside of the court, I have a really good relationship with a lot of players.
Carlos Alcaraz said at a press conference

Alcaraz has won two Grand Slams this season (French Open and Wimbledon) and is a strong favorite to win the US Open. On the other hand, Djokovic’s rejuvenated display at the Paris Olympics also makes him a serious contender for the title in New York.

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Carlos Alcaraz admits he needs to improve his game after avoiding a scare in the first round of the US Open

Carlos Alcaraz needed four sets to beat Australian qualifier Li Tu in the first round of the US Open. The 21-year-old arrived at the event on the back of a second-round exit at the Cincinnati Open. He was speeding towards an easy victory before signs of rust began to show in the third set.

Carlos Alcaraz Cincinnati Open
Carlos Alcaraz (Via Imago)

However, the Spaniard recalibrated in the fourth set to avoid a scare, winning 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 in two hours and 42 minutes. It was his 15th consecutive Grand Slam win this season. After beating the World No. 185, Alcaraz admitted that he would need to improve his game in order to reach the latter stages of the US Open.

[There are] a few things that I have to improve if I want to keep going in the draw, but obviously I have to give credit to him as well. He played really good tennis and surprised me a little bit in the second set. I leave the court happy with my performance.
Carlos Alcaraz said (via ATP)

Alcaraz will face 2021 quarterfinalist Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round of the US Open.

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