The match between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic proved to be an exciting affair that ended on a disappointing note.
It was a semifinal at the 2023 Roland Garros that featured two great players and some spectacular rallies. The score was tied at 1-1 in sets when Alcaraz experienced cramping which forced him to forfeit a game to receive treatment. It proved a difficult match to watch after that as the Spaniard was clearly severely limited but refused to retire with Djokovic emerging as victorious in four sets.
In the aftermath, there was a lot said by both sides in the press conference with Alcaraz admitting that nerves certainly contributed to him tensing up but he refused to create any further controversy which was pushed by some reporters. He shut down any kind of mention of that sharing how things unfolded from his point of view.
Many people may want to create controversy and claim that Novak went to the bathroom to stop the game or break the rhythm, but no, not in my case. I don't believe it influenced anything. The stress from the first game of the match carried over into the second set, and the physical demands Novak placed on me had an impact. Ultimately I couldn't hold on physically.
Some reporters further hinted at Djokovic possibly using the situation Alcaraz was dealing with to his advantage and Alcaraz defended that emphatically. He shared how facing a player that is not 100 % can be tricky because you have to do a lot to keep your focus as your mind wanders to assumptions that the match will be smooth sailing after that.
I don't blame him for anything. He had to close the match. It's challenging to play against someone who isn't 100 %. While they may experience a downturn, you can't afford to have that downturn and instead must find a way to close out the match. I don't blame Djokovic for doing that. The truth is, if I were facing someone who was injured or not playing at their best, and I experienced a slump, I would likely to the same. Closing a match is never easy.
I don't blame Djokovic for doing that. The truth is, if I were facing someone who was injured or not playing at their best, and I experienced a slump, I would likely do the same. Closing a match is never easy.
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