Carlos Alcaraz has been warned to anticipate a rejuvenated Novak Djokovic after the Serb clinched an Olympic gold medal on the Paris Video games. The pair battled it out in a repeat of this summer time’s Wimbledon ultimate however in contrast to in SW19, Djokovic gained to say the one title lacking from his illustrious profession.
The 37-year-old is among the most dominant gamers within the sport’s historical past, holding a males’s document 24 main titles, regardless of competing in the identical period as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. There’s a new crop of contenders rising to problem the Serbian although.
Alcaraz, 21, has gained each the French Open and Wimbledon to this point this yr, with 4 main titles already to his title. Nonetheless, British tennis icon Tim Henman has insisted that Djokovic is not going to go quietly and that finishing his Olympic ambition could possibly be a worrying signal for the Spaniard and tennis’ different rising stars.
“I simply don’t suppose the best way he works means he’ll suppose he has gained the gold medal and that’s it,” Henman instructed Tennis365. “He nonetheless has an infinite ardour for the sport. He loves what he does and if something, it’d go the opposite method.
“Profitable the Olympics would possibly free him up. He would possibly suppose he has ticked all of the containers and I’m taking part in with the home’s cash now. He would possibly exit and really feel no strain as he seems to win one other main on the US Open.
“That may be harmful for the remainder as a result of he’ll play with freedom and whereas he’s match and wholesome, I undoubtedly suppose he has extra main titles in him.”
Djokovic’s recent ambition can be to interrupt the general main titles document, which he at present shares with Margaret Courtroom. His subsequent alternative can be on the US Open this month, however he’ll go into the event with no hard-court preparation,
The tennis icon pulled out of the Canadian Open and this week’s Cincinnati Open, which comes shortly after his Olympic triumph, although Alcaraz has made his return on the latter. When requested concerning the future after profitable gold in Paris, Djokovic actually echoed Henman’s ideas, outlining his intention to play into his 40s and defend his title on the subsequent Olympics.
“I am going to attempt to make it to Los Angeles,” Djokovic mentioned. “I would wish to. The best pleasure is representing Serbia on the Olympic Video games.
“For me, that is the realisation of a boyhood dream, the strain to win the gold was big as a result of I gained roughly the whole lot. I really feel fulfilled, full, let’s rejoice.”
