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Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz met on Court Philippe-Chatrier ahead of the Olympic Games.
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are the top seeds at the Olympic Games in Paris after Jannik Sinner’s withdrawal. Novak and Carlos met on Court Philippe-Chatrier and talked for a minute and a half, seeing each other for the first time since the Wimbledon final. Novak joked with Carlos and the people around them, saying they were not taking the shower together. Djokovic and Alcaraz have played some memorable matches since the start of their rivalry in May 2022, showing mutual respect and always saying nice words about each other. Novak and Carlos met for the sixth time in the recent Wimbledon final ten days ago, with the young gun scoring a commanding 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 triumph in two hours and 27 minutes, defending the title and lifting his fourth Major crown at 21. A year ago, they battled in the title clash and embraced a five-setter. This time, it was all about Alcaraz, who stormed over Djokovic in the opening two sets and sealed the deal in the pivotal moments of the third.
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz met on the practice court at Roland Garros.
Novak raised his level after an early setback, playing better in the third set and fending off three match points before falling in the tie break. Carlos fired up his initial shot, facing only three break points and getting broken while serving for the win. Novak could not follow that pace, dropping 42% of the points behind the initial shot and suffering five breaks from 14 chances offered to his young opponent. Alcaraz tamed his strokes nicely, producing aggressive tennis and outplaying Djokovic in the shortest and most advanced exchanges. The Spaniard reduced the Serb’s efficiency at the net, landing passing shots and controlling the pace. Not moving as he would have wanted due to his troubled knee, Novak tried to shorten the points and end them early. However, he made too many mistakes en route to his third Wimbledon final loss. Carlos made a flying start, creating five break chances in the first game of the duel and seizing the last for an early advantage.
The young gun secured another break and clinched the opener 6-2 in 41 minutes. Nothing changed in set number two, with Alcaraz serving well and turning almost half of the return points into a double break and a 6-2, 6-2 lead after an hour and 15 minutes. Djokovic saved four break points early in the third set and created a break opportunity in game six. Carlos denied it and secured a break at 4-4 with winners, moving in front and serving for the title. Novak saved three match points and secured his only break, leveling the score at 5-5 and prolonging the battle. The set reached a tie break, and Alcaraz stepped in at 3-3, rattling off four of the final five points for a straight-sets triumph. Novak and Carlos are the favorites to meet in the title clash at the Olympic Games in Paris, looking forward to embracing another memorable battle.