Djokovic is used to a hostile crowd. How does he feel about Alcaraz?

Novak Djokovic is a playing legend of the white sport. Over time, he’s become accustomed to hostile audiences. What’s behind his successful 2023? Carlos Alcaraz was a positive influence. How does the Serbian tennis player feel about his game?

Hostile crowd

Djokovic has had a very successful season. He managed to win three Grand Slams and was also a mainstay of the Serbian Davis Cup team. In an interview with CBS News, he revealed how he deals with what is sometimes his weakness.

This is because the Serbian tennis player quite often plays not only against his opponent, but also against the larger part of the audience. He’s used to it since his rivalry with Federer.

“For most of my career, I played in a hostile environment. Somehow I learned how to play in such an environment,” the 36-year-old said . But he also admits that he enjoys tennis more in an environment that favours him.

But we must add that Djokovic can come out of all the negative as a winner in the end. And this is also related to the question of his young competition on the ATP circuit.

Alcaraz in the eyes of Djokovic

In the final reckoning, the 2023 tennis year belonged to Djokovic. But in the tennis mecca called the All England Club, the Belgrade native suffered a defeat this year.

In a brilliant final, he fell to Spain’s Alcaraz. And this can be seen as an example of the struggle of the rising generation against Djokovic, as a symbol of the generation that has ruled so far.

And for Alcaraz, the current number one has only words of praise. The Spaniard is, according to him, a complex tennis player, the likes of which are hard to see. And at his age.

Reaction to the defeat of Djokovic

So Alcaraz blocked Djokovic’s path to the coveted Wimbledon title. Moreover, in doing so, the Serb also lost the opportunity to win a calendar grand slam.

But here we go again. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. It was the pressure of some great young tennis players that awakened the killer instinct in the Serb and the two most prestigious events in the final part of the year belonged to him.

Djokovic captured both the US Open and the Tournament of Champions. Let’s add that at the latter event he fell in the main group again with another 20-year-old, the Italian Sinner. And it is he who, according to some experts, is one of the biggest promises of the coming year .

Finally..

After what Djokovic showed on the courts this year, there is no doubt who is the greatest tennis player of all time. With his other wins and triumphs, in most cases, he is only pushing his own records further.

The influence of young competition on the Serb’s performances is evident. Their duels with each other, along with Nadal’s return to the courts, will be a huge draw for tennis in 2024.

Source: CBS News