Carlos Alcaraz has been warned that tennis icon Novak Djokovic is relaxed and “feeling motivated” in the hunt for his first Olympic gold medal.
Alcaraz faces tough competition in Djokvoic at this year’s Olympics (Image: Getty)
Carlos Alcaraz has been warned that tennis rival Novak Djokovic is feeling very “relaxed and motivated” as the Serbian continues his battle for a first ever Olympic gold medal. The pair have faced off on several occasions in tennis, including in this year’s Wimbledon final, but Djokovic isn’t planning to let anyone stand in his way as he goes for a first-time achievement.
The pair could meet once again in the men’s singles final at the Olympics should they advance from the semis, and the 24-time Grand Slam champion will be hoping to change the narrative and win his first ever gold medal. Alcaraz will take on Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime in one semi-final at 12:30pm on Friday, whilst Djokovic will be aiming to beat Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in the 6pm match.
Meanwhile, former Serbian tennis player Viktor Troicki believes that his fellow countryman is looking much more calm and composed at this year’s Olympics – and could be in contention for gold this time around.
Speaking to Clay magazine, Troicki admitted that pal Djokovic was left broken after bronze medal defeat at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, and how his demeanor has changed for this year’s sporting event. The Serbian said: “Physically and mentally, Novak was destroyed [after defeat in Tokyo]. Physically he couldn’t (do) anymore. Emotionally he got killed after the match. He was really close in Tokyo, you know, making it to the final stages and probably going for the gold, but it didn’t happen in the end.”
Troicki has claimed that Djokovic is looking inspired and ready to get to the final of the men’s singles – and maybe meet with 21-year-old Alcaraz in the final for the second time in 2024. The 38-year-old added: “I don’t think this time he feels such big pressure like he did in Tokyo. Here it’s different because during all this year, and also last year, he was talking about Olympics, and that the gold medal was his biggest goal.
“He’s a different player here. He’s really motivated and you can see the difference on the court now. I think here in Paris he’s more relaxed, more focused on the things he needs to do.”
Djokovic and Alcaraz could meet for their second final in 2024 (Image: Getty)
Troicki also said that Djokovic has “nothing left to prove” even if the 37-year-old does win gold in Paris – as he has won all there is to win in tennis. He added: “In tennis, we all know that the top of the mountain is the Grand Slams. Being number one. That is something in tennis, like the World Cup or the Champions League in football.
“In tennis, we can talk about the honour of the Olympic Games, the biggest sporting event. But, of course, people remember the winners of Grand Slams more than the gold medallists of the Olympic Games.”
Djokovic will take on Musetti in the second semi-final of the day at 6pm, by which point either Alcaraz or Auger-Aliassime will have secured their spot in the final. A repeat of the 2024 Wimbledon final could be on the cards, but Djokovic will be hoping that the outcome will be quite the opposite for him in Paris