Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are fierce rivals because they both aspire to achieve the same goals; however, they also share a friendly off-court relationship that both cherish.
There are various types of rivalries in sports. Some of them are proper rivalries in which the athletes almost hate each other. In tennis, that could be the rivalry between Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev, even though they were friends in juniors.
They may appear to be on cordial terms, but various statements in recent years prove the opposite. We’ve seen enough from them to know they don’t get along.
Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas are another pair who aren’t particularly fond of each other, but they have mended that relationship. When it comes to Djokovic and Alcaraz, it’s a rivalry that continues to write new chapters all the time.
The most recent chapter was at the Paris Olympics, where Djokovic handed Alcaraz one of the toughest defeats of his career. It was a brutal loss for the Spaniard, but that didn’t change anything in their relationship.
Both have remained friendly with each other and even took a smiling photo with their medals. Djokovic spoke about the rivalry after his most recent match at the 2024 US Open, saying that it sends a beautiful message to the sport that two of the best players in the world are so competitive on the court and so friendly away from it.
When the match ends, all that is forgotten, and they turn respectful again, which is great for the sport. It shows how things should be in tennis. Over the years Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Djokovic displayed such sportsmanship almost every time they faced each other.
"I feel that it was a beautiful message for our sport – when the fight is over, we shake hands, we hug, we give each other respect and support."
"I strived to have those kinds of relations throughout my life, with my biggest rivals too – to be kind, to treat them with respect. You know what they say – treat others the way you want to be treated.""
Alcaraz has also been nothing but complimentary to Djokovic because he respects him quite a bit. To him, the Serbian player symbolizes what Alcaraz aspires to be: a champion whom many consider the greatest of all time.
Being a teenager and admitting wanting to be the best was bold. But that’s the approach that the Spanish player has always maintained. Everything about his career has been bold.
The way he came into the sport was bold. The way he’s playing is bold. The way he stood up to some of the best players in the world has been bold.
That’s why he’s already up to four Grand Slam titles with a great chance to win even more in the future. Toward that goal, Alcaraz observes and learns from Djokovic. What better way to learn than to stand opposite him on the court?
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