"Novak Djokovic had visibly begun to struggle with a leg injury early in their four-set quarter-final, but instead of focusing on his own game, Alcaraz found himself staring across the net and thinking too much about his opponent's condition rather than about what he needed to win. While the Spaniard's focus wavered, Djokovic's difficulties inspired his most offensive, decisive tennis, and he willed himself to a miraculous victory."
"That meeting was the last encounter in what has become one of the most unusual rivalries the sport has seen. At 38 and 22 respectively, Djokovic and Alcaraz were born 16 years apart. Their first meeting at the Madrid Open in May 2022, won by Alcaraz, occurred two days after his 19th birthday and two weeks before Djokovic turned 35."
Carlos Alcaraz left Rod Laver Arena consumed by frustration after his Australian Open quarter-final loss. Novak Djokovic showed signs of a leg injury early in that match, but Alcaraz diverted focus to his opponent's condition instead of his own play. Djokovic converted that adversity into highly offensive, decisive tennis and secured a miraculous win. Djokovic and Alcaraz have developed an unusual rivalry across a 16-year age gap, meeting on every major stage: Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open, the Olympic Games and ATP Finals. Djokovic leads 5-3, with matches including Alcaraz's 2023 Wimbledon recovery and Djokovic's Olympic gold.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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