Andrea Petkovic was left in awe of Carlos Alcaraz’s spectacular Wimbledon remaining 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 yr’s Wimbledon remaining and he was additionally coming off his first French Open victory, he was given the sting going into this yr’s remaining at The Championships. However despite the fact that Alcaraz was thought-about the favourite over Djokovic who nonetheless wasn’t in his prime type after knee surgical procedure, nobody actually anticipated to see the 21-year-old fully outplay the seven-time Wimbledon champion and seal a routine 6-2 6-2 7-6 (4) win.
EDITOR’S PICKS
Via the opening two units, Alcaraz wasn’t giving any area to Djokovic to do something on the court docket. 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 file 24-time Grand Slam champion began to play significantly better.
And whereas watching the now four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz try 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 most effective match Carlos performed all fortnight it ended up trying like Novak was being overpowered and outplayed. The second he discovered his footing within the third set, issues acquired extra attention-grabbing 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 facility, the variability and everybody else immediately grew to become fodder. He performed his greatest match in opposition to Novak Djokovic within the remaining.”
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 rapidly discovered himself in a reasonably 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 file 24-time Grand Slam champion gave the impression to be performed.
However then, the Serb stunningly saved three consecutive championship factors – managed to drive a tie-break – the place he did not have the energy to finish his comeback because the Spaniard gained after realizing his fourth championship level.
After the match, Djokovic did not disguise how he was feeling in regards to the remaining, saying that he was “inferior on the court docket” to Alcaraz.
“The way in which I felt on the court docket in the present day in opposition to him, I used to be inferior on the court docket. He was a greater participant. That’s it. He performed each single shot higher than I did. I don’t suppose I might’ve performed rather more… he wasn’t permitting me to have free factors on my serve,” Djokovic mentioned after the Wimbledon remaining.
“He performed with a number of selection. I’ve by no means seen him serve that approach. 136. I’ve by no means seen him serve that quick. He should’ve had a very good serving apply day yesterday. He actually outplayed me… he was higher than me in each facet of the sport.”
Djokovic’s confession about the place he’s at in comparison with Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Via the primary seven and a half months of the 2024 season, Alcaraz and present world No. 1 Sinner have had the most effective outcomes and there’s no doubt that they’ve separated themselves from the remainder of the competitors.
And after dropping to Sinner earlier this yr within the Australian Open semifinal and now falling quick to Alcaraz within the Wimbledon remaining, Djokovic himself admitted that he was not at their stage.
“Having the ability to attain the ultimate of Wimbledon offers an ideal confidence enhance. However I additionally really feel like in a matchup in the present day in opposition to the most effective participant on the earth proper now for positive, apart from Jannik, each of them are the most effective this yr by far… I really feel like I’m not at that stage,” Djokovic mentioned.
“In an effort to actually have an opportunity to beat these guys within the Grand Slam latter phases or Olympics, I’m gonna should play significantly better than I did in the present day and really feel significantly better than I did in the present day. It’s not one thing I haven’t skilled earlier than in my life.. within the face of adversity, usually I rise, be taught, & get stronger. That’s what I’m going to do.”
Djokovic’s subsequent event would be the Paris Olympics, the place he might probably meet Alcaraz or Sinner within the latter phases.
