Carlos Alcaraz has described Novak Djokovic‘s physicality as ‘crazy’ in spite of his steep decline over the last few months. The veteran Serb has failed to win a single tournament since prevailing at the Olympics last year. He came agonisingly close at the Miami Open two months ago but suffered a shock defeat to Jakub Mensik in the final.
Since then, Djokovic has slipped to early exits in each of his last two tournaments. At the Monte-Carlo Masters, he was beaten in straight sets by Alejandro Tabilo before losing in a similar fashion to Matteo Arnaldi at the Madrid Open. He decided not to play in the ongoing Italian Open, meaning he is unlikely to return to the court until the French Open next month.
Djokovic’s lack of form has cast doubt over whether he will ever be able to restore former glories. He is not planning on retiring any time soon, though, having recently declared that he wants to defend his title at the next Olympics in 2028.
Alcaraz, who will meet Jannik Sinner in the final of the Italian Open, was quizzed on Djokovic’s ambitious goal after beating Lorenzo Musetti on Friday.
“Well, I mean, his body is feeling like he’s 25 years old,” said the Spaniard. “It is crazy how he maintain the good level going into the matches. The level is another thing. He can struggle, or he’s been struggling in terms of level.
“I think physically he’s in a really good shape. It depends on him. I’m pretty sure if his goal is to play another Olympic Games, I think he’s able to do it.
“Of course, I think he take care a lot of his body, of everything just to be at his hundred per cent. If he’s got that, he can do it for sure.
“I could be more than happy to see him more years on tour playing, sharing good moments, sharing good tournaments with him. I could be more than happy if that happens.”
Djokovic never hid his desire to land Olympic glory for Serbia and described it as his ‘biggest sporting achievement’ after beating Alcaraz in the gold medal match.
“I’m super thrilled that I managed to do it here in the way that I did it, against a guy who is the best in the world at the moment,” he said.
“I’m just over the moon. Everything that I felt in that moment when I won really surpassed everything I thought or hoped that it would. I thought that carrying the flag at the opening ceremony [in London] was the best feeling ever until I experienced this today.
“Being on that court with the Serbian flag raising, singing the Serbian anthem, with the gold around my neck, I think nothing can beat that in terms of professional sport. It definitely stands out as the biggest sporting achievement I had.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk