Carlos Alcaraz reveals single hardest thing when playing Novak Djokovic
Carlos Alcaraz is hoping for another shot at Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon, but he admits he will need to win the mental battle if he is to get the better of one of the all-time greats in a Grand Slam.
The pair met in a major for the first time in June as they squared off in the semi-final of the French Open and the encounter lived up to the pre-match hype in the opening two sets.
However, the Spaniard started cramping from the third set onwards and ended up winning just two more games as Djokovic secured a 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 before going on to lift a third title at Roland Garros two days later with a three-set win over Casper Ruud.
Alcaraz admitted afterwards that the pressure took its toll.
With the duo occupying the top two seeds for Wimbledon, the only time they can meet is in the final, but Alcaraz was asked during a pre-match tournament press conference why Djokovic is so difficult and replied: “Well, the pressure. I would say the pressure that they put on everyone.
“You know, not only to me, to everyone to play at their best about three hours in a Grand Slam. I’m talking about the Grand Slam.
“I have to deal with that, but is something that I really want it. I hope to play a final here against him. But for me, this probably is the toughest thing facing Novak.”
The 20-year-old has played only 11 matches on grass with five of those coming during his title run at the Queen’s Club Championships last week.
As for his Wimbledon record, the Spaniard exited in the second round on his debut in 2021 and reached the fourth round last year.
Djokovic by contrast has a 109–18 win-loss record on grass and is gunning for his eighth Wimbledon title.
So what impresses Alcaraz the most when he watches the Serbian on grass?
“I mean, they do the things really, really easy. He moves really well. He hits the ball really well, really clearly. He has clean shot,” he said.
“It’s a mix of everything. I would say he doesn’t do anything wrong. He always make really easy everything. It’s really tough to find some weakness on his game.”
As for his own style on grass, the youngster is sticking with the aggressive approach that brought him success on clay and at last year’s US Open.
“I always say that I try to play aggressive all the time,” he said. “I think my style, it’s always to play aggressive. I think that’s the most important thing here on grass: to be aggressive, to try to go to the net, trying to hit big shots. I always trying in every surface.
“I think that suits really well on grass.”
He added: “Coming here to Wimbledon with a lot of confidence, thinking that I’m able to do a good results here. But obviously for me the main favorite is Djokovic. That’s obviously.
“But my expectations are high. I think I will be able to put the pressure on the other players, even Djokovic as well. But all I can say is I feel with a lot of confidence and I feel ready to do good things here.”
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