Andrea Petkovic was left in awe of Carlos Alcaraz’s spectacular Wimbledon last efficiency versus Novak Djokovic because the 2014 French Open semifinalist says she “noticed Djokovic in Alcaraz” for the primary time.
Since Alcaraz beat Djokovic in final 12 months’s Wimbledon last and he was additionally coming off his first French Open victory, he was given the sting going into this 12 months’s last at The Championships. However despite the fact that Alcaraz was thought-about the favourite over Djokovic who nonetheless wasn’t in his prime kind after knee surgical procedure, nobody actually anticipated to see the 21-year-old utterly outplay the seven-time Wimbledon champion and seal a routine 6-2 6-2 7-6 (4) win.
By the opening two units, Alcaraz wasn’t giving any area to Djokovic to do something on the courtroom. Down by two units and having gained a complete of 4 video games, Djokovic managed to boost his stage and begin serving and returning higher. However the 21-year-old Spaniard remained unfazed and went on to finish a straight-set win even after the report 24-time Grand Slam champion began to play a lot better.
And whereas watching the now four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz do this to Djokovic, former world No. 9 Petkovic thought the 21-year-old’s dominant efficiency in opposition to Djokovic was “a scary” signal to the ATP competitors.
“It wasn’t a full off-day for Novak however he did have a really sluggish begin. Paired with the perfect match Carlos performed all fortnight it ended up wanting like Novak was being overpowered and outplayed. The second he discovered his footing within the third set, issues acquired extra fascinating nevertheless it was too late going through a ravishing Carlos Alcaraz. Curiously, I noticed Novak Djokovic in Carlos Alcaraz for the primary time and it made me scared for the others,” Petkovic wrote on Substack.
“Carlos discovered his recreation. He upped his stage, discovered the depth, the ability, the variability and everybody else immediately turned fodder. He performed his greatest match in opposition to Novak Djokovic within the last.”
Djokovic’s brutally sincere tackle Alcaraz’s efficiency
After getting damaged twice in every of the primary two units – all whereas not incomes a single break – Djokovic shortly discovered himself in a fairly tough place. And after Alcaraz broke Djokovic within the ninth recreation of the third set to go 5-4 up after which opened a 40/0 lead on his serve, the report 24-time Grand Slam champion seemed to be carried out.
However then, the Serb stunningly saved three consecutive championship factors – managed to drive a tie-break – the place he did not have the power to finish his comeback because the Spaniard gained after realizing his fourth championship level.
After the match, Djokovic did not conceal how he was feeling concerning the last, saying that he was “inferior on the courtroom” to Alcaraz.
“The best way I felt on the courtroom at present in opposition to him, I used to be inferior on the courtroom. He was a greater participant. That’s it. He performed each single shot higher than I did. I don’t suppose I may’ve carried out far more… he wasn’t permitting me to have free factors on my serve,” Djokovic mentioned after the Wimbledon last.
“He performed with numerous selection. I’ve by no means seen him serve that manner. 136. I’ve by no means seen him serve that quick. He should’ve had a very good serving observe day yesterday. He actually outplayed me… he was higher than me in each side of the sport.”
Djokovic’s confession about the place he’s at in comparison with Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
By the primary seven and a half months of the 2024 season, Alcaraz and present world No. 1 Sinner have had the perfect outcomes and there’s no doubt that they’ve separated themselves from the remainder of the competitors.
And after shedding to Sinner earlier this 12 months within the Australian Open semifinal and now falling brief to Alcaraz within the Wimbledon last, Djokovic himself admitted that he was not at their stage.
“With the ability to attain the ultimate of Wimbledon offers an ideal confidence enhance. However I additionally really feel like in a matchup at present in opposition to the perfect participant on this planet proper now for certain, apart from Jannik, each of them are the perfect this 12 months by far… I really feel like I’m not at that stage,” Djokovic mentioned.
“With a view to actually have an opportunity to beat these guys within the Grand Slam latter levels or Olympics, I’m gonna must play a lot better than I did at present and really feel a lot better than I did at present. It’s not one thing I haven’t skilled earlier than in my life.. within the face of adversity, usually I rise, study, & get stronger. That’s what I’m going to do.”
Djokovic’s subsequent event would be the Paris Olympics, the place he may probably meet Alcaraz or Sinner within the latter levels.
