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 | Alcaraz on defeat to Djokovic: I felt like I was in control of the match, but after the medical break I allowed him to come back into the game. This is the main mistake3-05-2026 |
Carlos Alcaraz spoke about his defeat to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open. He lost to him in the quarterfinals 6:4, 4:6, 3:6, 4:6.
– To be honest, I felt like I was in control of the match, but [after the medical break] I let him get back into the game. This was the main mistake today. In the second set we had to play a little better to press on. Yes, I saw that he had problems with movement, it was necessary to push him to the limit, but I could not. Then he started feeling better and better and playing at such a high level. This was my biggest mistake.
When Novak plays at this level, it becomes very difficult. I had my chances, the match was very equal. But he took most of the important points. When Novak plays like that, it`s hard to find a way out of the situation.
– Why do you think you lost your lead in the second set? What was going on in your head that allowed Novak to come back?
– When you see that your opponent is experiencing physical difficulties, you cannot play at the same level. You think it will be easier. And at the same time you think: Okay, we must not make mistakes. That`s why you don`t hit like you used to. I think that`s the point. And he played great, he hit great shots. He started playing more aggressively and stopped moving a lot. Then, as I said, it was really difficult to overcome all this.
– You describe very specifically that you noticed a change in his movement in the second set, and then in the third and fourth sets. How noticeable was the difference?
– Everyone saw that in the second set it was a little difficult for him to move. I didn’t understand where it was more difficult for him to run - under the forehand or under the backhand, but something was bothering him. Then, in the third and fourth sets, I didn`t see him having any problems. I`m not saying he put on a show. I`m just saying I don`t know. Obviously, and everyone saw it, he struggled in the second set. And then he showed that he was really good.