Serbian Novak Djokovic (37 years old, world number 2) and Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz (21 years old, world number 3), who faced each other on Sunday at Roland-Garros in the final of the Olympic tournament, have already faced each other six times in the last two years in often memorable matches.
An overview of these duels (3-3), one of which, in the Wimbledon final last year, has gone down in tennis history.
Madrid 2022 – semi-final: Alcaraz reaches a milestone
Two days after celebrating his 19th birthday, Alcaraz overthrew the world number one 6-7 (5/7), 7-5, 7-6 (7/5), in a spectacular marathon match lasting 3 hours and 35 minutes, to reach the final of the Masters 1000 in Madrid, on clay.
“I feel ready to compete with them (Djokovic and Rafael Nadal) in all tournaments, on all surfaces”assumes the young Spaniard. “In a Grand Slam, with five-set matches, it’s totally different, but I think I’m ready.”adds the young Murcian. Four months later, he won his first major tournament, the US Open, and would finish the season at the top of the world rankings.
Roland-Garros 2023 – semi-final: Alcaraz’s cramps
Juan-Carlos Ferrero’s protégé is not yet completely ” ready “ physically in a Grand Slam. Crippled with cramps after more than two and a quarter hours of a match of rare intensity, he gave up in the third set and lost 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 on the verge of the Roland-Garros final.
“We were both physically struggling at the end of the second set”commented Djokovic after their only confrontation to date on Parisian clay. “He is young and has a lot of time ahead of him. He will win this tournament many times over.”.
Wimbledon 2023 – final: Djokovic out
Serbian Novak Djokovic, defeated in 2023 at Wimbledon by Carlos Alcaraz, after the final / Adrian DENNIS / AFP/Archives
The two men faced each other again in a Grand Slam the following month. Alcaraz was not let down by his physique this time despite a 4h42 fight in five sets 1-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4.
It ends Djokovic’s run of 34 victories on the Wimbledon grass and deprives him of the absolute record for Grand Slam titles.
“It’s a dream come true”savors the native of El Palmar. “I didn’t expect to get to this point so quickly in my career”.
“It’s not easy to swallow when you’re so close to the goal, but I lost to a stronger team”recognizes his opponent.
Cincinnati 2023 – final: revanche de Djokovic
Novak Djokovic, winner of the Cincinnati Masters 1000 in August 2023 / MATTHEW STOCKMAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/Archives
The Serb took his revenge in the final of the Cincinnati Masters 1000 (hard) after needing five match points and 3 hours and 49 minutes of play to win in a breathtaking 5-7, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/4) battle.
“It was the toughest and most exciting match I have ever played”comments Djokovic, who has nevertheless seen others. “Carlos is an extraordinary player, I have a lot of respect for him”.
Masters 2023 – semi-final: Alcaraz overwhelmed
For once, the clash between « Missing »world number one at the time, and his runner-up in the ATP rankings, did not live up to his promises.
The eldest won in two sets 6-3, 6-2 in the semi-final of the Masters in Turin (hard), without having to particularly raise his level of play against an Alcaraz who was physically overwhelmed and making multiple unforced errors.
Wimbledon 2024 – finale: Djokovic sans solution
Carlos Alcaraz celebrates his victory at Wimbledon on July 14 / HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP/Archives
For the second consecutive year, the Spaniard dominated the record holder for the number of Grand Slam titles (24) in his English garden of Wimbledon, in less than two and a half hours 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7/4).
“I was inferior to him, that’s all. He played every shot better than me. I don’t think I could have done anything much better.”concedes the 37-year-old Serbian, who had surgery on his right knee the previous month and was not certain of being able to play four days before the start of the tournament.
