Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic: Rivalry |  ATP Tour

Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic: Rivalry | ATP Tour

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Djokovic v Alcaraz: The rivalry

Recall the six games of these two

July 14, 2024

Julian Finney / Getty Images

Novak Djokovic leads Carlos Alcaraz 3-2 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.
By ATP staff

Carlos Alcaraz made it back-to-back wins in the Wimbledon final against Novak Djokovic on Sunday in west London, defeating the runner-up in straight sets with a fine performance. With his win, the Spaniard advanced to four majors and leveled the exciting Lexus ATP Head2Head series at 3-3.

From the pair’s first meeting at the 2022 Mutua Madrid Open to their latest meeting at Wimbledon in 2024, ATPtour.com takes a look back at all six of their clashes.



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Madrid 2022, SF, Alcaraz d. Djokovic 6-7(5), 7-5, 7-6(5)
The 2022 Mutua Madrid Open was where Alcaraz showed he was more than just a talented player on the rise. After a memorable victory against countryman Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals, his competition did not get any easier against the top-ranked Djokovic.

In their first Lexus ATP Head2Head match, Djokovic got a full taste of what Alcaraz is capable of. The home favorite brought some energy and finesse to Caja Magica.

Alcaraz hit 51 winners compared to 24 for Djokovic, and sent the Serbian reeling off more shots. When it came time to close out the match, the teenager did it in style with a back-to-back serve to upset the World No. 1 after three hours and 36 minutes and became the first player to beat Nadal and Djokovic in the same clay court tournament. .

“I know I played a really good game,” Alcaraz said. “Every season I think I can play with the best players in the world and beat them, so it gives me a lot of confidence. .”

<a href=Carlos Alcaraz”>
Photo: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Roland Garros 2023, SF, Djokovic d. Alcaraz 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1
When the draw for Roland Garros 2023 came out, all eyes were on the potential of the blockbuster semifinal between Djokovic and Alcaraz. After their stunning clash in Madrid, will Alcaraz be able to repeat his form against the World No. 1 in five sets?

Djokovic appeared to be in command early on, but Alcaraz worked hard to win the second set and when he did, a routine appeared in the works. But instead, the Spaniard started suffering from cramp at the beginning of the third set and was unable to recover physically.

Djokovic was left to polish off an ailing Alcaraz and did so without a problem, ending their first meeting without tension.

“I told him on the net. You know how young you are. He has a lot of time waiting for him, so he will win this tournament I am sure many times,” said Djokovic. “He’s an unbelievable player, an amazing competitor and a good guy, so he deserves a round of applause and all the support.”

Alcaraz was open about his feelings after losing to the champion who finally got it. He said: “I’m honestly disappointed in myself, and in a match like this, coming into this match with good feelings, I feel good physically, and I’m choking at the end of the second set, at the beginning of the third set, it was really like that. disappointing. But these things happen, and I have to deal with them. “

Caros Alcaraz/<a href=Novak Djokovic”>
Photo: Getty Images
Wimbledon 2023, F, Alcaraz d. Djokovic 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4
Alcaraz didn’t have to wait long to get his revenge on Djokovic. But entering the Wimbledon final, all eyes are on the Serbian who is chasing history. Two years after being one game away from winning a Grand Slam (taking four titles in one season), Djokovic is back in a good place, winning the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and returning to the Wimbledon final.

After their semi-final in Paris, Djokovic was the favorite at SW19. Not only did she prove she was up to the challenge of her younger rival, but she was a seven-time Wimbledon champion, while Alcaraz had only played two grass-court tournaments in her career before 2023.

When the 23-time winner went through the first round, he appeared to be on his way to extending his winning streak to 35. Djokovic scored 6/5 in the second break but missed. the backhand net, changes the course of the game and history.

Alcaraz survived, eventually winning the fight that lasted four hours and 42 minutes to win his second major title.

“It’s my dream come true,” said Alcaraz. “As I said before, it’s nice to win, but even if I lost, I would be very proud of this amazing runner. To make history in this great tournament, we are playing the final with a legend of our sport.”

Cincinnati 2023, F, Djokovic d. Alcaraz 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4)
Fresh off the finals of the classic Wimbledon, fans were treated to a rematch of the Western & Southern Open final, the pair’s first match on the hard court.

A few months after Alcaraz’s poor performance at Roland Garros, it was Djokovic who didn’t look like himself in the Cincinnati final. Alcaraz dominated the match through a set and a break as he looked to dial the ATP Year-End No. 1 introduced by Pepperstone.

If Alcaraz had put together two serves from 4-3 in the second set, the match would not have been forgotten. But instead, he gave his opponent an opening and Djokovic turned their clash into a classic match. He saved a point to win 5/6 in the second break to force a thrilling decision.

Both men raised their standards and Alcaraz showed his willingness to fight back when Djokovic served for the championship in the third set. In the end it was the 36-year-old who emerged victorious after three hours and 49 minutes, the longest three-way final in ATP Tour history (since 1990).

“Overall, one of the hardest and most exciting matches I’ve ever been a part of and these are the kinds of moments and marches that I continue to work on every day,” said Djokovic. “I had no doubt that I could deliver the ‘A’ game when it mattered most again [I am] I’m just happy.”

Nitto ATP Finals 2023, SF, Djokovic d. Alcaraz 6-3, 6-2
After four matches of narrow margins – save for the last two sets at Roland Garros in 2023 – Djokovic got the most important result of this fledgling tournament with a good performance in Turin. With the win, the Serbian advanced to the Lexus ATP Head2Head series for the first time with a 3-2 advantage.

Djokovic’s consistent and deep forehands tied Alcaraz and denied the Spaniard the chance to attack from the start. Although the 20-year-old was not at his best for most of the match, he hit the mark after going down after a break in two sets. But in the highlight of the match, Djokovic recovered from the loss in several exciting rallies to escape 15/40 and hold 4-2. He would not lose another game in the victory.

“I approached the match with the right attitude, the right mindset, and I knew from the start that it was going to be very intense,” Djokovic said. “He got break points right from the start, 15/40 in the first game. That’s Carlos. He always gives his best in these types of matches and starts with good tennis and intensity. You have to go with that, try to weather the storm, and I did that.”

Djokovic backed up his victory with another masterclass against Jannik Sinner in the final to win his record-breaking seventh Nitto ATP Finals title.

Wimbledon 2024, F, Alcaraz d. Djokovic 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(4)
Competing in a second consecutive Wimbledon final, Alcaraz ensured history repeated itself with a dominant display in west London.

The Spaniard hit 42 winners compared to Djokovic’s 26 and made few unforced errors (24-25) to win 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(4) after two hours and 30 minutes .

With his win, the 21-year-old Alcaraz claimed his fourth major title and became just the sixth man to complete the Roland Garros-Wimbledon doubles. The only time the Spaniard showed signs of upset was when he failed to play from 5-4, 40/0 in the third set. However, he quickly rallied to win at the break.

“It’s a dream for me, to win this trophy,” said Alcaraz at the trophy ceremony. “In an interview when I was 11 or 12 years old I said my dream was to win Wimbledon, so I’m fulfilling my dream. I want to continue but it’s nice to play on this beautiful court and lift this miracle trophy. This is a great tournament, a great court and a trophy very good.”

<a href=Carlos Alcaraz” style=”width: 100%;”>
Photo Credit: Getty Images

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