Carlos Alcaraz Issued warning as former tennis star makes Novak Djokovic comments
Carlos Alcaraz has been issued a warning from a former tennis ace about Novak Djokovic, with the pair seemingly on a collision course for the Paris Olympics final
Carlos Alcaraz of Team Spain celebrates against Tommy Paul of Team United States during the Men’s Singles Quarter-final match on day six of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Roland Garros on August 01, 2024 in Paris, France.
Carlos Alcaraz has been warned about rival Novak Djokovic’s increased motivation
Djokovic is aiming to shake off any nerves and claim his first-ever Olympic gold medal – and he may need to face Alcaraz in the final to do so. The pair have clashed before, including a memorable showdown at Wimbledon this year, but Djokovic is determined not to let anyone stand in his way.
Should both players win their semi-final matches, they’re set to face off in the Olympic men’s singles final. Alcaraz is scheduled to play against Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime at 12:30pm on Friday, while Djokovic will take on Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti later in the day at 6pm.
Former Serbian tennis player Viktor Troicki believes that his fellow countryman has the focus and peace of mind to secure the first Olympic gold medal of his illustrious career. Speaking to Clay magazine, Troicki discussed how broken Djokovic was after falling to defeat at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics and noted a significant shift in his attitude this year.
He said: “Physically and mentally, Novak was destroyed [after defeat in Tokyo]. Physically he couldn’t [do] anymore. Emotionally he got killed after the match. He was really close in Tokyo, you know, making it to the final stages and probably going for the gold, but it didn’t happen in the end.”
Troicki has claimed that Djokovic is looking composed ahead of his semi-final match. The 38-year-old added: “I don’t think this time he feels such big pressure like he did in Tokyo. Here it’s different because during all this year, and also last year, he was talking about Olympics, and that the gold medal was his biggest goal.
“He’s a different player here. He’s really motivated and you can see the difference on the court now. I think here in Paris he’s more relaxed, more focused on the things he needs to do.”
Troicki has also noted that Djokovic has “nothing left to prove” even if the 37-year-old doesn’t secure a medal in Paris – as he has won it all in the sport. He said: “In tennis, we all know that the top of the mountain is the Grand Slams. Being number one. That is something in tennis, like the World Cup or the Champions League in football.
Djokovic will be hoping to avoid Alcaraz in the men’s singles final at the Olympics
“In tennis, we can talk about the honour of the Olympic Games, the biggest sporting event. But, of course, people remember the winners of Grand Slams more than the gold medallists of the Olympic Games.”
Djokovic is set to face Musetti in Friday’s second semi-final at 6pm, at which time either Alcaraz or Auger-Aliassime will have secured their place in the final. With the possibility of a repeat of the 2024 Wimbledon final looming, Djokovic will no doubt be hoping for a different result this time around in Paris after losing to 21-year-old Alcaraz at the All England Club.