Carlos Alcaraz was left to rue a costly tactical error in his Australian Open quarter-final loss to Novak Djokovic.
Alcaraz’s chances of becoming the youngest-ever men’s player to achieve the career Grand Slam were put on hold following a four-set loss to Djokovic.
The 21-year-old took the first set 6-4 not long after Djokovic had taken a medical time out, with the Serb returning with strapping around his left leg.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion played more aggressively from the second set onwards, before the veteran closed out a stunning 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 triumph.
Following the contest, Alcaraz has revealed what he would have done differently if he could repeat this Australian Open encounter.
Carlos Alcaraz says he didn’t push ailing Novak Djokovic hard enough
Alcaraz congratulated the 10-time Australian Open champion, with Djokovic set to face Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals, but wished he had pressed home his first-set advantage more.
“Well, honestly I felt like I was controlling the match, and I let him get into the match again. I’m going to say that’s was the biggest mistake that I made today,” he said in his post-match press conference.
“In the second set I had to play a little bit better just to push him even more to the limit. Yeah, he saw that he had issues just moving a little bit in the second set. I had to push him a little bit more just to the limit, and I didn’t. I didn’t do it. After that, I think he started to feel better and playing such a great level.
“That was my biggest mistake today. But obviously when Novak is at this level, it’s really difficult. I think I had my chances. It was a really close match. I think most of the crucial points, it went to his side. I mean, when Novak is playing at this level, it’s really difficult to find the way.”
READ MORE: Carlos Alcaraz accuses umpire of making ‘crazy’ decision during match against Novak Djokovic
Alcaraz added: “When you are seeing someone that is struggling physically a little bit, it’s kind of you not playing the same level. It seems like, okay, it’s going to be easier.
“At the same time in your mind you’re thinking, like, ‘Okay, I have not to make mistakes’. Probably you’re not hitting the ball the same way that you’re hitting before. I think that’s it.”
Novak Djokovic reveals he nearly retired in Carlos Alcaraz match
While the likes of John McEnroe questioned the seriousness of the 37-year-old’s injury, Tim Henman had no doubt Djokovic was struggling physically.
And after holding on for the victory, Djokovic said he contemplated not continuing if Alcaraz had built a two-set lead.
Djokovic admitted in his on-court interview: “Since I am still in the tournament, I don’t want to reveal too much. The medication started to kick in. That helped, no doubt. I had to take another dose.
“If I’d lost that second set, I don’t know if I’d have continued playing. [But] I felt better and better and managed to play a great couple of games at the end of the second set. Then I saw that Carlos was hesitant a little bit at the back of the court and I took my chances, started to feel better and move better.
“It didn’t bother me or create any hindrance towards the end of the match. When the medication starts to release, I’ll see what the reality is tomorrow (Wednesday) morning. Right now I am just trying to be in the moment and enjoy this victory. It’s one of the most epic matches that I’ve played on any court.”
Djokovic now leads his head-to-head with Alcaraz 5-3. Incidentally, this is the first tournament where former rival Andy Murray is in Djokovic’s coaching corner.
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