Carlos Alcaraz Thrives in Intense Tennis Battles with ‘Good Friend’ Novak Djokovic

Despite their close connection off the court, four-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz is relishing his fierce on-court matches with one of the best players of all time, Novak Djokovic. Djokovic’s exact efficiency stands in stark contrast to the Spaniard’s flare for creativity, but Alcaraz loves how their competition brings out the best in each other’s skills.

At the US Open, the 21-year-old Alcaraz who just defeated Djokovic to defend his Wimbledon title could face the legendary Serbian player. Fans are drawn in by their rivalry, which is characterized by excellent tennis and exciting matches, as they go farther in the competition.

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“We play really high-level tennis every time we step on the court,” Alcaraz said following his US Open first-round victory. “Every time that we face each other, it has been a really good and intense match.”

A Good rivalry between Two Friends

Alcaraz’s victory over Djokovic at Wimbledon earlier this year appeared to indicate a change in the tennis hierarchy. But in August, Djokovic reversed the course of events by winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics in Roland Garros, which he referred to as his “biggest sporting achievement.” Alcaraz, though, felt he had let Spain down and was devastated by the defeat.

Even with their intense rivalry, Alcaraz and Djokovic remain close friends.

Alcaraz said, “We have a really good friendship off the court.” Every time we see each other, we have lengthy conversations in the locker room. After the game, I have excellent relationships with several guys, including Novak, but there are no buddies on this circuit once we hit the court.

At the US Open, where Djokovic is ranked second and Alcaraz is ranked third, a potential championship matchup in the thrilling city of New York is imminent. “New York, it’s intense,” said Alcaraz. “I enjoy playing here a lot. You get a vibe from the audience that you most likely don’t get at other courts.