Novak Djokovic brushes off Carlos Alcaraz criticism by citing Rafael Nadal’s example

Novak Djokovic is playing the Madrid Open for the first time in three years and is projected to meet Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinal.

Novak Djokovic brushes off Carlos Alcaraz criticism by citing Rafael Nadal’s example

Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal (Image via X/Wimbledon, The Tennis Letter)

Novak Djokovic cannot understand why Carlos Alcaraz is facing criticism. He reminded the critics that Alcaraz, even though he is just 21 years old, has four Grand Slam titles in his trophy cabinet.

Alcaraz is in Madrid, preparing for the second Masters 1000 of the season on clay. So far this year, Alcaraz has lifted two titles: the Rotterdam Open and the Monte Carlo Masters, and also reached the final of the Barcelona Open which he lost to Holger Rune.

Alcaraz entered the clay swing without winning a title in the Sunshine Double for the first time since 2021, due to which, he faced intense criticism. Because he played three tournaments (Qatar Open, Indian Wells, and the Miami Open) without winning the title, many called him inconsistent. Not even people from his country spared him.

No, I don’t understand it [that Alcaraz is receiving criticism in Spain]. But the atmosphere and tradition of tennis in this country is very high. The expectation is enormous after [Rafael] Nadal, [Carlos] Moya, [Juan Carlos] Ferrero–they’ve all been world No. 1.

Novak Djokovic told Spanish media during the Laureus Sports award in Madrid

Djokovic has locked horns with the Spaniard eight times, winning five of those matches, including their last encounter in the Australian Open quarterfinals. He could once again schedule a match against the four-time Grand Slam champion if both of them progress to the Madrid Open semifinals.

But, listen. He’s 21 years old, he’s won four Grand Slams and many tournaments. What more do you want? You want more, but what he’s done in this period is incredible.

Novak Djokovic added

Last year, the youngster completed the rare Channel Slam and lifted two more titles (Indian Wells and the China Open). Alcaraz will meet the winner of the first-round match between Zizou Bergs and Yoshihito Nishioka in Madrid to kick-start his bid for his third title in the Spanish capital.

Boris Becker backs Novak Djokovic to win another Grand Slam title

Novak Djokovic will kick-start his bid for his fourth Madrid Open title against the winner of the first-round match between Matteo Arnaldi and Borna Coric. He will be playing in the tournament for the first time since 2022.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Image via Univers Tennis)

Although Djokovic lost the first match he played on clay at the Monte Carlo Masters, he is expected to arrive at the French Open fully prepared to chase his record 25th Grand Slam title. His former coach Boris Becker backed him in Major events.

He is such a champion that he always has a good chance of winning.

Boris Becker told Eurosport

Djokovic last won a Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open, his third Major of the season following the Australian Open and the French Open. He fell short of the Calendar Slam as Carlos Alcaraz eked out the victory in five sets against him in the Wimbledon final.

Last year, he produced his best performance in Major tournaments when progressed to Wimbledon but succumbed to a straight-set defeat against Alcaraz. At the Australian Open this year, after overcoming Alcaraz in the quarterfinals, Djokovic withdrew from the semifinals after playing the first set against Alexander Zverev due to an injury.

Djokovic will continue his hunt for his 100th ATP title and his first since the 2024 Paris Olympics. If he wins another title, he will become the third player in Men’s tennis to reach the 100-title mark after Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion last reached a final at this year’s Miami Open, which he lost to Jakub Mensik, who became an ATP champion for the first time in his career. It was his second final since his Paris Olympics victory following the Shanghai Masters.

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