In a heartwarming moment at the 2024 Laureus World Sports Awards, tennis legends Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz stole the show as they shared a warm embrace on the red carpet. The prestigious awards ceremony, often dubbed the “Oscars of Sport,” took place at the Palacio De Cibeles in Madrid, Spain on April 22.
As Alcaraz was being interviewed on the red carpet, Djokovic approached him and enveloped him in a friendly hug. The two athletes, both known for their fierce competitiveness on the court, displayed genuine camaraderie and mutual respect. Their embrace was captured on camera, and fans around the world reveled in the heartwarming moment.
Not only did Djokovic and Alcaraz share a warm hug, but they also playfully complimented each other’s outfits. The camaraderie between the seasoned champion and the rising star was evident, transcending the boundaries of competition.
Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, had an exceptional 2023 season, winning seven titles, including three Grand Slam trophies at the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open. His remarkable achievements earned him the Sportsperson of the Year award for a record-equalling fifth time, tying with Roger Federer.
On the other hand, Alcaraz, the Breakthrough of the Year winner in 2023, had the honor of presenting this year’s award to Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham. The 20-year-old Spaniard had a stellar season, successfully defending an ATP Masters 1000 title in Madrid and securing his second Grand Slam victory at Wimbledon.
Throughout the 2023 season, Djokovic and Alcaraz faced off four times, with the Serb winning three encounters (including the French Open semifinal and the ATP Finals semifinal). Alcaraz’s lone victory came in the Wimbledon Championships final, where he defeated Djokovic in a thrilling match.
The Laureus Awards not only celebrate athletic excellence but also highlight the camaraderie and mutual admiration among athletes from different disciplines. Djokovic and Alcaraz’s warm embrace serves as a reminder that sportsmanship transcends rivalries, and moments like these make the Laureus Awards truly special.
Watch the heartwarming exchange between Djokovic and Alcaraz.
Alcaraz x Djokovic:
Red Carpet Edition🥂✨
@LaureusSport #Laureus24
pic.twitter.com/RciJETM6IQ— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 22, 2024
Carlos Alcaraz in 2024
Ranked world no.3, Carlos played his last match on the 28th of March when he lost to world no.10 Grigor Dimitrov 6-2 6-4 in the quarter in Miami (draw).
Currently, during this year the Spaniard has achieved an overall 15-4 match record. This year, the Spaniard lifted the trophy in Indian Wells.
Carlos has won 1 title in 2024 in Indian Wells.
Carlos won 14 titles in his career: 4 on hard courts, 7 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 2 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Novak Djokovic in 2024
At the moment ranked no.1, Djokovic played his last match on the 13th of April when he was overcome by world no.6 Casper Ruud 6-4 1-6 6-4 in the semifinal in Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters (draw).
During this season the Serbian achieved a compiled 11-4 record. Novak Djokovic’s best achievement of the year was getting to the semifinal at the Australian Open and Monte Carlo.
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic fought against each other 5 times. Their record is 3-2 for Djokovic. Previously, the last time they played, Novak Djokovic won 6-3 6-2 in the semifinal in Turin (Nitto ATP Finals) in November 2023.
You can watch the highlights in the following video.