The Roland-Garros semi-final between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz was becoming the match of the year. Until the Spaniard got cramps. The Serb defeated his young rival in four sets 6-3, 5-7, 6-1 and 6-1.
The final before the final, it was said, of the semi-final match between the two most dominant players in the world.
Until the start of the third set, the prophecy came true, and expectations were met. Both attackers were giving the best tennis has to offer.
There was everything. Heavy and precise strikes, long exchanges, delicacy at the net and, above all, mutual respect between two greats exchanging courtesies.
Djokovic won the first round and Alcaraz the second. While that encounter had become a best of three, an unfortunate injury to Alcaraz’s right leg, in addition to intense cramps, cast a shadow over this grand spectacle on a sunny day in Paris.
Alcaraz even gave up a point to his opponent to be able to receive immediate treatment to try to relieve himself. But nothing to do. Decreased for the rest of the match, Alcaraz remained standing, just waiting for Djokovic to win the six games needed to fold the game.
“I’m disappointed with myself,” said Alcaraz, who blamed the cramps on the “tension of the moment.”
“I arrived to play this match feeling very well physically, and I had cramps from the end of the second set, start of the third. The cramps started in the arm. At the start of the third set, I started having cramps all over my body, not just my legs. I was really struggling to move in the third set. Then I had a small chance in the fourth, but it was really difficult. It hurts me to leave Roland-Garros like that, but I am a positive boy and therefore I see it as a good experience. »
In his 70th major tournament appearance, Djokovic reached the final for the 34th time. His seventh at the Porte d’Auteuil.
The most regrettable in this game is not what happened, but rather what did not happen.
Both players have experienced health issues in recent weeks. Alcaraz in the leg. Djokovic on the arm. The two arrived on the Philippe-Chatrier court somewhat crippled.
Despite everything, their level and performance suggested redemption on both sides.
There was so much at stake. On the one hand, Djokovic was on a mission. He wanted to reach the final to try to take his 23rd major tournament title and thus beat Rafael Nadal on his land. On the other hand, Alcaraz, the worthy heir of the toreador, was fighting to win a first title at Roland-Garros, where he will certainly win one day.
The start of the game lived up to expectations. It was possibly the match of the year on the ATP Tour.
This is why the biggest disappointment at the end of this duel is not having been entitled to what we expected. At least over five sets, because the start of the match was of exceptional quality. Like the abilities of the two gladiators.
Since the beginning of the fortnight, Alcaraz has crushed and overwhelmed each of its opponents. In particular thanks to a blow, his now signature, the forehand cut, amortized. On clay, this well-executed shot becomes the equivalent of a lethal dose.
However, Djokovic quickly thwarted his plans. First, by going up to the net regularly, thus reducing his opponent’s room for maneuver at the top of the field. Then, by offering him high and deep balls, thus making it difficult to place cushions. Strategically, the veteran was stronger than his rival, 16 years his junior.
The only fault of the Serb was in the service. Without being catastrophic, he opened the door to the first player in the world by not being as formidable as he can be. In the second set, the tightest of the game, Alcaraz responded.
Ineffective in break point until the eighth game with a ratio of zero in five, the Spaniard broke Djoko. He also did it again in the last game of the inning. Alcaraz destabilized the double champion of the tournament by taking his ease and going for each of the angles, even the most restricted, offered by the Djoker.
It was a constant match, until Alcaraz’s body stopped responding.
At the end of the second game of the third set, on service reception, Alcaraz leaped, like players who are about to return the service of others to advance in the court.
But for no apparent reason, Alcaraz writhed in pain. His right leg obviously being the problem. The pain was such that the 20-year-old dropped his racquet, frozen in discomfort. Djokovic came to see him and because the pain was persistent, he called the doctor. However, since the point total was not odd and the time to change sides had not come, he had to concede a point to his opponent.
The treatment, knee or thigh, lasted a few seconds, and Alcaraz was back in action. But without moving. Every move seemed painful. He let slip the sleeve. Despite a stop in the locker room between the third and fourth chapters, the damage was done.
The last round was a walk in the park for Djokovic, who didn’t hesitate to salute his opponent’s courage after the game.
“I just want to say first of all that I find it unfortunate for Carlos,” he said after being complimented on his victory. I feel bad for him, I hope he can recover well. […] I want to say congratulations to him for his competitive spirit and for fighting to the last point. I have a lot of respect for him! »
“I would have been ashamed to give up,” explained Alcaraz. I was in the semi-finals of a Grand Slam! In the fourth set I gave myself a 1% chance of coming back, I even had a break point in the first game. But then I just kept playing, there was no question of giving up . »
Alcaraz represents the future of tennis. Few players have the privilege of being compared to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, not only in terms of style, but also in class, respect and attitude. Alcaraz is one of them. Like Federer, who never ended a match prematurely due to injury throughout his career, Alcaraz stayed in the game despite his pain, out of respect for his opponent, the spectators. and his sport. It is the mark of the greatest and even if he will have to wait to win his second major, Alcaraz is already part of it.