TENNIS
Corretja: “Alcaraz is going to suffer”
Former Spanish player Alex Corretja believes Carlos Alcaraz is in for a very tough test against Novak Djokovic in the French Open semifinals.
It’s probably the final everyone would have hoped for in the 2023 French Open after Rafa Nadal pulled off the tournament due to his hip injury, but the ‘big battle’ will take place in the first semifinal.
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will meet on Friday for a place in the final in what it’s expected to be a long, hard-fought game where the Spaniard will try to come out on top by using his aggressive style of play and creativity.
However, Djokovic seems ready for a war, as he’s looking to win the title to overtake Rafa Nadal as the player with the most majors won ever in the men’s singles category, with 23.
Roland Garros isn’t the Serb’s favorite tournament, but he has become a more patient and mature player on clay. Alcaraz will have to be aware of that when he faces Nole, said the two-time French Open runner-up and Eurosport analyst Àlex Corretja:
“I’m sure it’s not going to be easy, but everyone is confident with Alcaraz back home; that he can do well and play well, being ready, but he’s going to suffer because it’s not easy to beat Djokovic in best of five.”
“He needs to be patient and wait for his chance. He needs to play his game. He doesn’t need to change anything specific. He will need to be there knowing that Novak has plenty of experience of best of fives, that he’s going to play deep and long rallies”, he added.
According to Corretja, who knows Alcaraz well, the Murcia native should play his game patiently and not try to rush if things don’t go his way during the match.
“Novak is going to try to serve well. Carlos needs to dictate; playing aggressively, but not rushing. It’s difficult to maintain the level for two and a half, three hours, trying to win every single point”, he stated.
“I’m expecting a big battle, but I think Carlos has a bit more variation in his game, but Novak has, for sure, more experience”, he concluded.
Alcaraz and Djokovic have only played each other once so far, at the 2022 Madrid Mutua Open, with the Spaniard emerging victorious in a very tight contest (6-7, 7-5, 7-6).