Carlos Alcaraz says his father ‘probably did’ film Novak Djokovic training
World No 1 Carlos Alcaraz has commented on reports that members of his team were ‘spying’ on Novak Djokovic and filming his training sessions at Wimbledon.
Questioned about the allegations of spying on a rival, Alcaraz at first didn’t understand what the question was about before saying that it is quite likely that his father would film a Novak Djokovic training session.
Alcaraz appeared to not have any knowledge of the videoing and suggested that the act would have been motivated by his father’s love of tennis rather than a desire to glean an unfair advantage.
Questioned about his father’s presence at Aorangi, Alcaraz told a Wimbledon press conference: “Oh, probably it is true. My father is a huge fan of tennis. He doesn’t only watch my matches. I think he get into the club at 11 am, get out at 10 pm, watching matches, watching practice from everyone.
“Be able to watch Djokovic in real life, yeah, probably it is true he’s film the sessions.”
When asked if he thought the videos might give him a competitive advantage at this stage of the tournament because Djokovic is a rival, Alcaraz made out that he didn’t see how that was possible.
Alcaraz said that they already had hours and hours of film on Djokovic from practices and matches.
“I don’t think so,” Alcaraz responded.
“I mean, I have a lot of videos from Djokovic on every platform. I think it’s not an advantage for me.”
Alcaraz feels that his semi-final opponent, Daniil Medvedev poses a unique threat given his gangly and at times almost awkward style of play.
“Well, he’s really tall, you know.
“He’s playing great here on grass. He has a great, great year as well. I lost the first match we played here on grass. So I have to learn about it.
“But [I am] going to enjoy the semifinal. I think I’m playing great, a lot of confidence right now. So it’s going to be a really good match I think. I am going to enjoy it.
“He is really complete player,” Alcaraz said in assessment of Medvedev.
“I’m going to say, I think Rublev said a few times, he’s an octopus. He catch every ball. It is amazing. He’s an amazing athlete.
“I think a mix of everything.
“He does almost everything well.”
Alcaraz said there was a surreal quality to achieving a deep run at Wimbledon.
“Well, I mean, I remember the first time that I came here, it was really an unbelievable feeling to be able to play here,” Alcaraz said.
“Right now it’s totally different for me. I can’t believe that I’m in this position right now in just a short period. It’s something crazy for me.”
READ MORE: Novak Djokovic calls for privacy amid allegations of Carlos Alcaraz camp ‘spying’
