Novak Djokovic has finally reacted to the French Open final for the first time since Carlos Alcaraz retained his title.
In what was undoubtedly one of the most dramatic matches in recent memory, the 22-year-old saved three championship points whilst two sets to love down and completely turned the match on its head.
Both players, at different points in the affair, looked certain to cruise to victory. And yet, in the end, it came down to a super tiebreak in the fifth set, which Carlos Alcaraz took emphatically.
It left him and his team ecstatic, and Jannik Sinner slumped on his changeover bench.
Novak Djokovic had not really commented on such a legendary match, until now.
Novak Djokovic finally reacts to the Roland Garros final
Speaking to the media earlier today after his practice session with Alcaraz, the former world number one was supremely humble when speaking about the young Spaniard.
And, when praising all he has accomplished this year, Djokovic could not omit that French Open final.
He started by noting: ‘Carlos Alcaraz as the defending champion gets the right. I am the sparring partner. I am happy he chose me.” The seven-time champion then said the balls rather than the courts at Wimbledon had changed since he made his debut back in 2005.
‘Wimbledon balls are slower than they used to be. It makes it extremely difficult to get past guys like Carlos Alcaraz when they try to get to the net.’
Then touching on that remarkable Roland Garros match, Djokovic continued: ’It is a different surface, a different style of play but what they produced in the final in Paris was amazing.
‘To be honest, I was in my country. My wife wanted to watch the final but I didn’t want to watch it. The first part of the match we went outside for lunch. We came back and I ended up watching it. Incredible, incredible match. Huge credit to both of them. It was one of the most historic matches we have ever seen.’
Jack Draper revealed how the entire ATP Tour reacted to the Roland Garros final, and that seemingly included Djokovic after these comments.
Can Novak Djokovic win Wimbledon this year?
To write off Djokovic would be a foolish move, but few can deny that the Serbian’s powers are waning.
Eventually, time had to take its toll on the 39-year-old, who had been defying biology for years now.
What he has accomplished since turning 30 deserves so much praise, with his unwavering dedication and unrelenting mindset offering an inspiration not just to the next generation of youngsters, but to every player still currently on tour.
However, with the emergence of Alcaraz and Sinner, his chances of snagging that elusive 25th Grand Slam title which he so craves are slimming.
He is not as fast as them, cannot last as long as them, and doesn’t hit the ball as hard as them.
Djokovic likely knows this after watching that French Open final, but he will also be well aware of how an upset can come at any moment. It might not even need to be him who takes them out, so all the 24-time Grand Slam champion needs to do is stay in the competition and see what happens.
A semi-final for Djokovic at Wimbledon, where he has lifted the title seven times before, would mark an outstanding achievement.
