Former tennis player Feliciano Lopez said that Carlos Alcaraz needs to have the same fire and ability to play more aggressively as Novak Djokovic.
The former ATP player suggested that Alcaraz’s performance decline at the end of the 2023 season was due to his extremely demanding style of play. Alcaraz finished as the second-ranked player in the world behind Djokovic this year after having a career-best season and an outstanding 65-12 (84.4%) record.
The 20-year-old’s victory at Wimbledon, where he defeated his Serbian opponent in a thrilling five-set final, was the highlight of his career. He also won two Masters 1000 titles, two ATP 500 events, and an ATP 250 title.
According to Alcaraz, one major area of focus leading up to 2024 is continuing to play at a higher level throughout the entire season.
In response to Alcaraz’s remarks, Lopez provided an analysis of why the rising star found the final few months of the campaign difficult in an interview.
Lopez expressed his remarks about Alcaraz and said: “The thing is that he plays every week at an enormously demanding level. When you aspire to be in the finals or win the tournaments, it is different and much more stressful than it can be for most. His comment is the result of learning. He’s only 20 years old, sometimes we forget that. Furthermore, he plays with a lot of intensity, he needs to be fresh, and have a spark. He cannot achieve great results in a more diesel mode, like Djokovic, who sometimes starts matches at a slow pace, until he finds his moment and is already invincible.”
He added: “Maybe what has happened to him is that at the end of the year, he has not felt as comfortable, as fresh, it is normal. Because it has happened to everyone until they learn and get to know each other. It’s very complicated. And everything that is happening to him, what he is experiencing so soon. It is a tsunami that comes into your life at 20 years old and it is difficult to manage it. That’s why I give so much credit to what he’s doing. Because he doesn’t scare him, he has enough maturity to assimilate it, the courage to face Djokovic, who is the best player, for many, in history, without fear.”
Carlos Alcaraz in 2023
WWWWWWWLWW Ranked world no.2, Carlos played his last match on the 18th of November when he was overcome by world no.1 Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-2 in the semifinal in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
Currently, during this season Carlos achieved an overall 65-12 record. Carlos clinched 6 titles in 2023 in Buenos Aires, Indian Wells, Barcelona, Madrid, London and Wimbledon. Alcaraz was the runner-up in Rio de Janeiro and Cincinnati.
Novak Djokovic in 2023
WWWWLWWLWL Ranked world no.1, Novak played his last match on the 25th of November when he was defeated by world no.4 Jannik Sinner 6-2 2-6 7-5 in the Rubber 2 of the Davis Cup (draw).
Presently, during this year Novak owns a composed 56-7 match record. The Serbian clinched 7 titles in 2023 in Adelaide, Australian Open, French Open, Cincinnati, U.S. Open, Paris and the Nitto ATP Finals. The Serbian was the finalist in Wimbledon.
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic faced off 5 times. Their actual record is 3-2 for Djokovic. The last time they locked horns, Novak Djokovic won 6-3 6-2 in the semifinal in Turin (Nitto ATP Finals) on the 18th of November 2023.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic |
| Embed from Getty Images |
