The French Open semi-final showdown between reigning world number one Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, concluded in an unexpectedly dramatic fashion. The intense clash ended with the young Spaniard succumbing to cramps in the third set, giving Djokovic the upper hand.
Despite not being the tournament finale, the semi-final face-off between Alcaraz and Djokovic drew significant attention from the outset. Both tennis powerhouses swiftly advanced through the tournament to set up the encounter, which concluded with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 triumph for Djokovic.
Having secured victory at the US Open last year before an injury sidelined him from the Australian Open, Alcaraz has been tipped as the potential successor to the reigning champion. With comparisons to Rafael Nadal already swirling around the 20-year-old, the semi-final placed enormous expectations on him. After the game, Alcaraz confessed that his nerves contributed to the onset of multiple cramps.
Djokovic started strong in the first set as Alcaraz wrestled with his nerves. However, by the second set, Alcaraz had settled into the game, and an increasingly fatigued Djokovic struggled to keep pace. Alcaraz clinched the second set, and it seemed the Serbian champion was in hot water.
THANK YOU PARIS for the support! Congratulations to @DjokerNole for the victory and good luck in the final on Sunday! See you next year @rolandgarros!
Getty pic.twitter.com/xbfed0Smj9 — Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) June 9, 2023
Djokovic's strain was visible as he required a medical break and an arm massage. Alcaraz, embodying youthful vigour, remained on court during Djokovic's break.
However, the match took an abrupt turn when Alcaraz, having hit a return into the net, halted the game and hobbled back to his chair. The sudden limp was a clear sign of a significant issue, leading to his decision to forfeit the game. After receiving treatment for cramps in multiple areas, including his thighs and legs, Alcaraz disclosed that he had been experiencing cramps in his arms as well.
Djokovic capitalised on the situation and secured the third set with ease. Alcaraz exhausted his medical time-out before initiating the fourth set, during which he was observed consuming several doses of electrolytes or similar supplements to alleviate his cramps.
Alcaraz managed to complete the fourth set but struggled to hold serve and eventually fell to Djokovic. Reflecting on the match, he conceded that his defeat was a result of the strain - both physical and psychological.
"Facing Novak, a legend in our sport, is a massive challenge. The stress of this match was unparalleled. That's what brought on the cramps. It's hard to keep calm during such matches," he shared with BBC.
Alcaraz's inexperience became evident as he faced Djokovic in their first Grand Slam encounter and just their second overall. Despite already being a Grand Slam champion and the reigning world number one, the 20-year-old is still relatively new to the big league.
To illustrate the experience gap, Djokovic has been in 45 major semi-finals, while Alcaraz was in just his second.
Despite his physical challenges, Alcaraz persevered. He revealed, "I began cramping all over, not just my legs but my arms too. It was a struggle to move, but quitting wasn't an option."
Expressing admiration for Alcaraz's determination, Djokovic opined that such experiences form part of the learning journey. "He's shown great maturity in the last few years. If he stays healthy, he has a brilliant career ahead."
Djokovic is now set to challenge for his 23rd Grand Slam title, which would propel him ahead of Rafael Nadal in the race. If he clinches the French Open, he'll also regain the world number one spot from Alcaraz. His final hurdle is Casper Ruud, and Sunday's final at Court Philippe Chatrier will reveal who will etch their name in history.
