Australian Open – Carlos Alcaraz punished for not crucifying Novak Djokovic: “Someone who thinks about giving up doesn’t play like that”

“If I had lost the second set, I don’t know if I would have continued the matchdeclared the native of Belgrade on the court. The medication took effect and things got better and better. I was moving decently again and played some really good games at the end of the second set. I felt that Carlos was a little hesitant from the baseline, I started to slide better, to move better. I am very proud of myself. We’ll see how I feel tomorrow. This isn’t the first time I’ve had to play with a physical problem. In 2023, I have already experienced this in Melbourne. It helps me mentally because I know that I can, I must, then play more aggressively. But since I’m still in the tournament, I’m not going to say too much about my injury.”

This scenario where Novak Djokovic, hampered by his adductor muscles, requests a medical time-out before losing the first set and then winning the match, John McEnroe had sensed it coming when in his commentary he said: “This is not the first time we have seen this situation. Don’t be fooled.”

However, this is what happened to Carlos Alcaraz (21 years old) who despite his four Grand Slam titles still has to struggle, especially against an old rogue like Djokovic. “I felt like I was in control of the match and let it come back in the second setanalyzed the Murcian. This was my biggest mistake in this match. I should have pushed him further physically at that moment of the meeting, but I didn’t. Afterwards, he started to feel better, to play better. And then he becomes difficult to beat. I had opportunities but I didn’t know how to take advantage of them. Playing a match like this will make me better. I leave Australia with my head held high.”

But having doubts about the seriousness of the Serb’s injury: “I’m not saying he put on a show, but in the second set he seemed to have problems and in the third and fourth I didn’t see anything. I don’t think he would have given up if he had lost the second set. A tennis player who is considering giving up doesn’t play the third and fourth sets like he did.”

The miracle Paula Badosa…

The man with 24 Grand Slam titles has already skipped all of this and is already thinking about his semi-final against Zverev: “Another big challenge facing a player in form who is aiming for a first coronation. He plays well and will be a formidable opponent with his great serve. The two days of rest come at a good time. We will evolve my physical situation with my staff. The important thing will be to recover well.”

And the Djoker will be able to count on Andy Murray to establish, as against Alcaraz, a quality tactical plan: “I turned to him after my victory against Carlos. It was a gesture of respect. With his career, he should not have particularly accepted this role of coach alongside me. I feel more and more connected to him. He is fully involved in my project.”

That of writing an additional page in the history of tennis…