(Provided by Tennis World USA)
Novak Djokovic provided words of encouragement to Carlos Alcaraz after their French Open match finished in very unfortunate circumstances. Djokovic and Alcaraz were delivering impressive level of tennis but everything changed in a moment when the Spaniard started to experience cram ps early in the third set.
Alcaraz was able to finish the match but his ability was severely impacted as Djokovic won 11 of the last 12 games to clinch a 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1 win. “I told him that he has got plenty of time and I am sure he is going to win Roland Garros multiple times in the future.
I have no doubts about it. I mean, he’s an amazing player who just possesses so many qualities, so dynamic, so much power in his shots. He is a very complete player. And he has already won a Grand Slam. youngest ever number one in the history of the game.
So, there is a lot to be excited about for him, for the future,” Djokovic said after the match.
💬 “I told him that he’s got plenty of time and that I’m sure he is going to win Roland-Garros multiple times in the future.”
Djokovic sees a bright futur for Alcaraz ⤵ï¸#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/3eyz5nCKnh — Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2023
Djokovic: Respect for Alcaraz
Alcaraz received a medical intervention but it didn’t really change much as it was evident that the 20-year-old couldn’t run or move as well as he wanted.
Even though it was pretty clear that Alcaraz had no chance of beating Djokovic in that condition, the Spaniard still refused to retire and instead played out the entire match. Afterward, Djokovic showed his respect for Alcaraz.
“It’s tough. Obviously for him to not know whether he should retire [from] the match or finish the match the way he did. Congratulations to him for his fighting spirit and hanging in all the way until the last point.
Respect for that, great respect,” Djokovic said. After the match, Alcaraz admitted that the stress he was feeling from the first game led to crams against Djokovic.