Novak Djokovic showed he has the ultimate respect for Carlos Alcaraz after being defeated in the Riyadh Season Tennis Cup. Djokovic took the first set 6-4 but was not at his best as lost the next two by the same score.
The pair are the top two ranked players at the Australian Open, which kicks off in a little over two weeks. That means they could meet in the final of the season-opening Grand Slam.
Alcaraz will be hoping this off-season victory lays a marker that he should not be underestimated in Melbourne, where Djokovic has won 10 of his 24 Major titles. And the Serbian showed his class by backing his younger foe to have a similarly illustrious career.
“It’s fantastic to have Alcaraz in our sport,” Djokovic said. “He is one of the leaders of this sport today and he is going to carry our sport for the next 10 to 15 years, we are going to see a lot of him. Tennis is in good hands.”
Djokovic was also quizzed about Rafael Nadal’s impending return after being handed the runners-up trophy in Saudi. “It is great news for the tennis world that he’s coming back,” the 36-year-old explained. “He hasn’t played an entire year but he is one of the legends of our sport. We want to see him play as much as possible.
“Hope both Carlos and me can have great matches against Rafa. It would be great for us and the sport. Tennis has grown so much over the last 20 years with the likes of Federer, Nadal and Andy Murray. Everyone who has achieved great things in this sport globally,
“I think in the last two decades it has grown so much and I’m so grateful to be part of this era. Hopefully I can still keep going with the young guys. They make me very tired but I don’t give up.”
The lucrative exhibition clash was played in front of Saudi royalty and tickets were like goldust. There is no doubt that this will not be the last time Djokovic and Alcaraz come face-to-face in the Middle East, with even Annabel Croft and Greg Rusedski gushing about the success of the event on DAZN.
“I have enjoyed my time here in Riyhad, not only on the court but off the court as well. I have not been able to walk around here but I would love to. Hopefully it is not the last time I get to come here and play in front of you,” Alcaraz said.
The Wimbledon champion went on to pay an equally classy message to Djokovic, adding: “It’s incredible to share the court with him in this event and in official tournaments. I am learning from him. After watching him win the big tournaments I always dreamed about being in this position and playing against him face to face.
“I am really happy to play with him and hopefully I can keep going. He seems like he is 20 so we are going to share the court more than once. I want to congratulate him and thank him for playing this match with me.”