“Best week of clay tennis of my life,” Aleksandar Kovacevic opens up about the thrilling experience of being drawn against Novak Djokovic in French Open 2023

American tennis player Aleksandar Kovacevic has revealed how he felt when he was drawn against Novak Djokovic at the 2023 French Open. The 25-year-old said that while he was optimistic about winning his first match on clay before the main draws were announced when he saw him pitted against the Serbian, he lost all his hope.

Kovacevic talked about how he was playing the best tennis of his life and felt like pulling off his first win on clay. However, when he was informed that he had been drawn against Djokovic, the American lost all his hopes.

The 25-year-old talked about how he ended up in the main draw when he was supposed to play the qualifiers. Kovacevic revealed that as Matteo Berrettini pulled out, he was included in the main draw. This meant he had an extra week to spend in France and he used it to his advantage, practicing day in and out. The American also talked about gaining confidence to pull of his first win on clay.

So I'm there basically for qualies but I'm in the main draw so I'm there for like an extra week and I'm training at the French and I'm training like unbelievably well, like best week of clay tennis of my life. I'm like dude I figured it out and I might get my first win this week.

Aleksandar Kovacevic said on The Changeover Podcast.

Aleksandar Kevacovic talks about losing hope of first win on clay after seeing Novak Djokovic’s name

Further talking about the main draw for the 2023 French Open, the 25-year-old American revealed that he was sitting with Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe when the Dean of the Roland Garros informed him about his opponent in the first round.

Aleksandar Kovacevic revealed he lost all confidence when he was told that he would be playing against the “best player ever”. The American said he could not think of winning anymore.

I was like grabbing my sushi or something and I come back and Dean's like huge smile on his face and he's like, "guess who you play?" I'm like, "Who?" He's like, "the best tennis player ever." I'm like, "no way I play Novak!" Yeah first round. I was like well I don't know if I'll be getting my first clay court win this week. That was the story of my clay court season.

The American said.

As it turned out, the American indeed lost his match against the Serb. However, it was not one-sided as it took three sets for Djokovic to beat Kovacevic. The 36-year-old won the match 6-3, 6-2, 7-6.

In case you missed!

• One Roger Federer record which is still unbreakable for Novak Djokovic
• Paula Badosa shares pictures from vacation with Stefanos Tsitsipas and his family with a special Instagram highlight mention

Stay Updated!

Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.

Subscribe NOW