From their first conflict on the 2022 Mutua Madrid Open to their most up-to-date on the 2023 Nitto ATP Finals, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz have proven their video games and combating spirits make for memorable matchups.
ATPTour.com appears to be like again in any respect 5 of their earlier Lexus ATP Head2Head conferences.
Madrid 2022, SF, Alcaraz d. Djokovic 6-7(5), 7-5, 7-6(5)
The 2022 Mutua Madrid Open was the place Alcaraz confirmed he was greater than only a gifted participant on the rise. After a memorable win in opposition to countryman Rafael Nadal within the quarter-finals, his event didn’t get any simpler in opposition to high seed Djokovic.
Within the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head encounter, Djokovic obtained a full style of what Alcaraz is able to. The house favorite introduced a collection of energy and finesse to the Caja Magica.
Alcaraz hit 51 winners in comparison with 24 for Djokovic, and despatched the Serbian scrambling with loads of drop photographs. When it got here time to seal the match, the teenager did it in fashion with a booming forehand winner to upset the World No. 1 after three hours and 36 minutes and turn into the primary participant to beat Nadal and Djokovic on the identical clay-court event.
“I do know that I performed a extremely good recreation,” Alcaraz mentioned. “For the remainder of the season I believe I’m able to play in opposition to the very best gamers on this planet and beat them as properly, so it offers me a number of confidence.”
Photograph: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Roland Garros 2023, SF, Djokovic d. Alcaraz 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1
When the 2023 Roland Garros draw got here out, all eyes had been on the potential of a semi-final blockbuster between Djokovic and Alcaraz. After their scintillating conflict in Madrid, would Alcaraz have the ability to replicate his degree in opposition to the World No. 1 throughout 5 units?
Djokovic appeared in command early, however Alcaraz labored onerous to win the second set and when he did, a traditional appeared within the works. However as an alternative, the Spaniard started affected by cramp early within the third set and was by no means in a position to bodily get well.
Djokovic was left to shine off an ailing Alcaraz and he did so with out challenge, ending their first assembly at a serious with out rigidity.
“I advised him on the internet. He is aware of how younger he’s. He’s received loads of time forward of him, so he’s going to win this event I’m certain many many occasions,” Djokovic mentioned. “He’s an unbelievable participant, an unbelievable competitor and a really good man, so he deserves all of the applause and all of the assist.”
Alcaraz was open about his emotions after the loss to the eventual champion. He mentioned: “I’m upset in myself actually, and in a match like this, coming to this match with nice emotions, feeling nice bodily, and cramping on the finish of the second set, starting of the third set, it was actually disappointing. However these form of issues occur, and I’ve to cope with that.”
Photograph: Getty Photos
Wimbledon 2023, F, Alcaraz d. Djokovic 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4
Alcaraz didn’t want to attend lengthy to take his shot at revenge in opposition to Djokovic. However coming into the Wimbledon closing, all eyes had been on the Serbian’s chase for historical past. Simply two years after coming inside one match of successful the Grand Slam (capturing all 4 majors in the identical season), Djokovic was once more in good place, having triumphed on the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and being again within the Wimbledon closing.
After the pair’s semi-final in Paris, Djokovic was the agency favorite at SW19. Not solely had he demonstrated he was up for his youthful rival’s problem, however he was a seven-time Wimbledon champion, whereas Alcaraz had performed simply two grass-court tournaments in his profession earlier than 2023.
When the 23-time main winner stormed by the opening set, he appeared properly on his option to extending his successful streak on the occasion to 35. Djokovic earned set level at 6/5 within the second-set tie-break however missed a impartial backhand into the web, altering the course of the match and historical past.
Alcaraz sprang to life, finally successful a four-hour, 42-minute battle to earn his second main title.
“It’s a dream come true for me,” Alcaraz mentioned. “As I mentioned earlier than, after all it’s nice to win, however even when I had misplaced, I’d be actually happy with myself with this wonderful run. Making historical past on this lovely event, taking part in a closing in opposition to a legend of our sport.”
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Cincinnati 2023, F, Djokovic d. Alcaraz 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4)
Contemporary off a traditional Wimbledon closing, followers had been as soon as once more in for a deal with within the closing of the Western & Southern Open, the pair’s first match on onerous courtroom.
Just some months after Alcaraz was bodily out of types at Roland Garros, it was Djokovic who didn’t appear like himself within the Cincinnati closing. Alcaraz firmly managed the match up a set and a break as he seemed to dial up his cost for ATP Yr-Finish No. 1 introduced by Pepperstone.
Had Alcaraz put collectively two service holds from 4-3 within the second set, the match might need been forgettable. However as an alternative, he gave his opponent a gap and Djokovic turned their conflict right into a traditional. He saved championship level at 5/6 within the second-set tie-break to pressure an exhilarating decider.
Each males raised their ranges and Alcaraz confirmed resolve of his personal to interrupt again when Djokovic served for the championship within the third set. Finally it was the 36-year-old who emerged victorious after three hours and 49 minutes, the longest best-of-three closing in ATP Tour historical past (since 1990).
“Simply general, one of many hardest and most enjoyable matches I used to be ever a part of and these are the sorts of moments and matches that I proceed to work for day in day trip,” Djokovic mentioned. “I used to be by no means doubtful that I can ship the ‘A’ recreation when it mattered essentially the most and [I am] simply thrilled.”
Nitto ATP Finals 2023, SF, Djokovic d. Alcaraz 6-3, 6-2
After 4 matches of razor-thin margins — save the ultimate two units at Roland Garros in 2023 — Djokovic scored essentially the most emphatic results of this budding rivalry with a dominant efficiency in Turin. With the victory, the Serbian moved forward within the Lexus ATP Head2Head sequence for the primary time with a 3-2 benefit.
Djokovic’s constant and deep hitting handcuffed Alcaraz and denied the Spaniard the chance to assault from the baseline. Whereas the 20-year-old was not at his greatest for a lot of the match, he common a late push with massive hitting after falling behind by a break in set two. However within the standout recreation of the match, Djokovic recovered from shedding a number of thrilling rallies to flee 15/40 and maintain for 4-2. He wouldn’t lose one other recreation within the victory.
“I approached the match with the fitting angle, the fitting mentality, and I knew from the very first level it was going to be enormously intense,” Djokovic mentioned. “He had break factors immediately, 15/40 within the first recreation. That’s Carlos. He all the time brings out his greatest in these sorts of matches and begins with a number of prime quality tennis and depth. You’ve received to match that, attempt to climate the storm, and I did that.”
Djokovic backed up his win with one other masterclass in opposition to Jannik Sinner within the closing to win his record-breaking eighth Nitto ATP Finals crown.
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