Novak Djokovic-Carlos Alcaraz rivalry: All 7 matches as the Serb regains edge after Paris Olympics epic
Novak Djokovic has re-established his lead over Carlos Alcaraz in the pair’s fascinating rivalry after defeating the Spaniard in the final of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 37-year-old Serbian now holds a 4-3 head-to-head edge over his 21-year-old adversary following a blockbuster gold medal match.
Djokovic led 3-2 after the first five encounters, before Alcaraz tied the series at 3-3 with his convincing triumph in last month’s Wimbledon final. Alcaraz held early 1-0 and 2-1 leads in the rivalry.
Here, we look at what happened in all seven matches Djokovic and Alcaraz have contested after the 2024 Olympic final.
2022 Madrid SF: Alcaraz d. Djokovic 6-7(5), 7-5, 7-6(5)
The pair’s rivalry began at the Madrid Open in 2022, when Alcaraz prevailed in an epic three-set semi-final that was ranked match of the year by the ATP.
There were just three breaks of serve in the extremely tight battle and Alcaraz won just three more total points than Djokovic as he edged out the three-hour-35-minute marathon.
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2023 French Open SF: Djokovic d. Alcaraz 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1
Djokovic and Alcaraz’s second match was also on clay and came over a year after their first as they met in the last four at the 2023 French Open.
The duo split two enthralling and highly intense sets before Alcaraz started struggling badly with cramps. Djokovic capitalised ruthlessly by dropping just two more games en route to sealing a convincing four-set win on Court-Philippe Chatrier.
2023 Wimbledon F: Alcaraz d. Djokovic 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4
The two stars did not have to wait long for their third match, which came in the final of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships.
After a shaky start, Alcaraz recovered and delivered a stunning performance to defeat Djokovic in a five-set thriller after narrowly and crucially avoiding going two sets to love down. The Spaniard’s triumph ended Djokovic’s 34-match winning streak at the All England Club.
2023 Cincinnati F: Djokovic d. Alcaraz 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4)
The month after their Wimbledon classic, Djokovic exacted some revenge by prevailing in a dramatic and gruelling title match at the Cincinnati Masters.
Djokovic eventually sealed victory on his fifth match point, having trailed by a set and 2-4 and saved a match point in the second set tiebreak, after three hours and 49 minutes. The pulsating battle, which featured a one-hour-39-minute final set, was the 2023 ATP match of the year.
2023 ATP Finals SF: Djokovic d. Alcaraz 6-3, 6-2
Djokovic and Alcaraz played for the fourth and final time of 2023 in the last event of the season as they faced off in the semi-finals of the ATP Finals in Turin.
The Serbian produced a flawless attacking display to dismantle Alcaraz on the fast indoor hard courts, breaking four times and saving the four break points he faced.
2024 Wimbledon F: Alcaraz d. Djokovic 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(4)
In a repeat of the 2023 Wimbledon final, Alcaraz saw off Djokovic again in 2024 to defend his crown, but it was a very different story this time.
Alcaraz brought a devastating level and dominated an out-of-sorts Djokovic in the first and second sets, before holding off the great Serbian in a more competitive third set to seal a crushing win.
2024 Olympic F: Djokovic d. Alcaraz 7-6(3), 7-6(2)
Just three weeks after their Wimbledon encounter, Djokovic and Alcaraz met again at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris — on Court Philippe-Chatrier at Stade Roland Garros. Djokovic and Alcaraz were seeded first and second respectively and both progressed to the gold medal match without losing a set.
The Spaniard was regarded as a clear favourite by many after the one-sided Wimbledon clash, but Djokovic prevailed in a mesmerising contest that lasted almost three hours.
There were no breaks of serve in the high-quality final and the Serbian was typically brilliant in the crucial tiebreaks as he secured a maiden Olympic gold medal.
