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Carlos Alcaraz was overwhelmed by Novak Djokovic, being eliminated in the semi-final of the 2023 edition of the ATP Finals. An excellent start to the match was not enough: Carlitos was unable – and it should be underlined, even in moments of maximum effort – to create serious problems for the Serbian champion, who today will face Jannik Sinner to get the chance to become the most successful man in the history of the year-end Masters.
Yet, Carlitos showed, especially in the second set, a good quality of play, even in the toughest rallies. But what was the point, in the end? To nothing. Simply: Djokovic was superior. At the press conference, the young Spaniard talked about the semifinal lost against the Serbian champion, also giving a recap of his season and setting his goals for 2024.
Carlos Alcaraz’s shares his point of view on the match lost against Djokovic
“Nole played at the same level throughout the match: the quality of his shots is incredible, he always maintained great depth. Once again he showed why he is the best player in the world.
It’s a difficult defeat to metabolise, but honestly I believe of not being at Djokovic’s level on indoor hard courts. I’m not used to training and playing indoors, I definitely have to learn from this defeat. In Paris, London or Cincinnati I didn’t have this feeling, while in indoor conditions I feel I have to improve further, to reach at his level.
Nole has incredible experience. I served very well but it wasn’t enough. Often the serve helps save you in many important moments, while with Novak it can happen just a couple of times, but not too many. Djokovic is Djokovic also for this: in the way I served against any other player, I don’t know if I would have won, but I certainly would have fought much more.
Against a player like Djokovic it is never enough, I should have been able to attack more and be more aggressive. You have to play 100% against him: if you can’t, you’re dead.” Carlitos explained how this defeat will help him a lot, in view of next season: “This match will help me a lot during the pre-season, it made me understand well everything I have to work on and improve further to beat the best in the world.
I will watch it again the match to study my weaknesses, improve them and become a better player. I will forget all the matches I played before with him and I will focus only on this match. At a certain point it was frustrating, I played an incredible point, I wouldn’t have I could have played it better but I still lost it.
Juan Carlos Ferrero told me to stay in the match mentally and concentrate on the first shots. I must have missed the first shot after the serve fifteen times, it was difficult to live with this situation.” Alcaraz then concluded by giving a recap of his crazy season: “My 2023 was fantastic, certainly the best year of my career.
I scored 2000 points more than last year despite not playing in Australia, I’m among those who he participated in fewer tournaments but also among those who played more matches. I have many positive things to take with me and I am very happy, but as Juan Carlos rightly says, a tennis player’s seasons last from January to November. I have a little accused the season finale, I hope to learn from this situation in the future.”
