The first question you have when you see the scoreline in the Alcaraz vs Djokovic RG semi-final is: What happened to Alcaraz?
What happened to Alcaraz?
Alcaraz vs Djokovic was the match many deemed to be the final and we were all looking forward to a titanic battle where the winner would likely take the title and the number one spot in the rankings. However, after two hard-fought sets with spectacular tennis, something was visibly wrong with Alcaraz. It seemed like he couldn’t move properly and was shaking his leg. Even Djokovic went down to the other side of the court to ask what was up.
This is what was reported on the ATP tour website:
However, after winning the second set to level the match, Alcaraz started to suffer a cramp in his right calf and was forced to forfeit his service game at 1-1 in the third set to receive immediate treatment at the changeover from the physio. Two-time champion Djokovic went on to win 12 of the last 14 games.
Following the match, the Spaniard was asked whether his cramping experience was the hardest he has ever faced on court.
“Probably,” the 20-year-old replied. “It has been really tough for me today. I have never felt something like I did today. I have never felt the tension that I did in that match.
“I would say the first set and the second set was really, really intense and I started to cramp in my arm. At the beginning of the third set I started to cramp every part of my body, not only the legs. The arms, as well, every part of the legs,” Alcaraz later continued. “It was really tough for me to move at the third set, and in the fourth set let’s say I had a little chance, but it was really tough. My full body started to cramp.”
Maybe the lack of tough matches before made this match a shock to Alcaraz’s body. Maybe he just needs more experience playing these high-stakes matches, or maybe he needs better preparation. No matter what, it was a surprising end to his impressive French Open run.
What does this mean?
It, first of all, means that Djokovic will battle for the record-breaking 23rd grand slam title on Sunday against Casper Ruud (click on the link to find out what racquet he uses). The bookies put Novak as the HEAVY favorite with decimal odds hovering around 1.22. With the experience and motivation that Djokovic possesses, this is not shocking. This will, however, be Ruud’s third grand slam final, so maybe a third can be a charm. He has previously lost to Nadal in the French Open final and Alcaraz in the US Open final.
My prediction is that Djokovic will take the title. And I don’t think his Grand Slam tally ends at 23. Going into Wimbledon, he will be the favorite once again.
Find out what racquet Alcaraz uses here. And I test Novak Djokovic’s racquet here.
