Novak Djokovic has skilled just about every little thing attainable on a tennis court docket throughout his trophy-laden 23-year profession however mentioned he has by no means confronted a participant fairly like Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz de-throned the 36-year-old Serb on Centre Court on Sunday, profitable a riveting Wimbledon closing with a game-style Djokovic later described as like dealing with a mix of the large three – himself, Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer.
Subduing it proved past even Djokovic’s powers as his quest for a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title – and a fifth in a row – was thwarted, as was his bid to match Margaret Court’s report of 24 grand slam titles.
In profitable his first Wimbledon, to go along with his 2022 US Open triumph in opposition to Casper Ruud, Alcaraz erased any doubts about his world No.1 standing and avenged his cramp-affected loss to Djokovic within the French Open semi-final.
Djokovic, who had suffered solely two Wimbledon defeats since shedding to Andy Murray within the 2013 closing, mentioned he was stunned at how rapidly the 20-year-old Alcaraz had mastered taking part in on all the game’s surfaces.
“I didn’t expect him to play so well this year on grass, but he’s proven he’s the best player in the world,” Djokovic mentioned after his 1-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-1 3-6 6-4 defeat.
“I haven’t played a player like him, ever.
“People have been speaking previously 12 months or so about his recreation consisting of sure parts from Roger, Rafa, and myself. I might agree with that.
“He’s got basically the best of all three worlds. He’s got this Spanish bull mentality, fighting spirit and incredible defence that we’ve seen with Rafa.
“He’s acquired some good sliding backhands, some similarities with my backhands.
“He is a complete player.”
Djokovic, who regarded irritated at occasions with the pro-Alcaraz crowd, was magnanimous in defeat.
But he admitted there have been some regrets after missing his ordinary scientific skill to take possibilities once they got here his means at essential moments.
After outplaying Alcaraz in a one-sided first set, Djokovic then slugged out an 85-minute second and had a degree for a two-set lead within the tiebreak however dumped a backhand into the web.
After battling again into the match and taking the fourth set, Djokovic then regarded odds on to interrupt serve for a 2-0 lead within the decider however made a hash of a excessive forehand volley.
Minutes later he dropped his personal serve and disintegrated his racket into the web put up in frustration.
“In the tiebreak in the second, the backhands kind of let me down,” he mentioned.
“Set point, I missed the backhand. A little bit of a bad bounce, but I should not have missed that shot.
“I managed to regroup and regain the momentum halfway within the fourth. I felt that the momentum shifted to my facet.
“That break point (in the fifth), I played a really good point, but it was very windy and the wind took it to an awkward place where I couldn’t hit the smash.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
