Carlos Alcaraz has exhibited the utmost respect for Novak Djokovic after beating him in the Australian Open final.
And, whenever given the opportunity, the 22-year-old has looked to emphasise how important the 24-time Grand Slam champion has been not just for his career, but on the entire sport.
His legacy within tennis is unlikely to fade anytime soon, particularly when he remains ever-present at its pinnacle despite his age.
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He was 16 years older than his fellow Australian Open finalist yesterday, and 14 years older than Jannik Sinner, who he beat in the semi-finals.
Carlos Alcaraz is right to revere Novak Djokovic.
Carlos Alcaraz reacts to Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open final speech
And, speaking during his media day in Melbourne Park, the seven-time major winner was flattered when asked to react to Djokovic’s kind words spoken after the match.
In his runner-up speech, he praised Alcaraz for continuing to create history, before Alcaraz thanked Djokovic after he had hinted at retirement.
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Asked to react to such adulation, Alcaraz admitted to AS: “That’s what really makes me happy and fills me with pride. For someone like Novak—not only the athlete he is, but also a wonderful person—to say that… He’s dealt with millions of people and knows how to handle all kinds of people. He has a great eye.
“For him to say that about you and your family is what I take away, what really matters. It’s my family’s way, the values they instilled in me and my brothers.
“I always say that, at the end of the day, you’re a person: the athlete takes a back seat. And people remember how you treat them. That’s what’s important.”
Carlos Alcaraz shares how he feels about beating Novak Djokovic again
Then, speaking on Channel 9, he would continue to express his admiration for Djokovic by explaining exactly how it feels to overcome a player of his magnitude.
This marks the third Grand Slam final he has now beaten the Serbian in, but he does not take these victories for granted.
Alcaraz admitted: “Well, I mean, it’s great. Because I always say that if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.
“So, I mean, beating Novak, one of the greatest if not the greatest tennis player of all time. And one of the greatest athletes of all time, be able to beat him, it’s great.
“That means that you’ve been working really hard and you’ve been working really well, and that’s important as well.
“So, really happy to see myself in the position that I am right now, not because [I am] lifting the trophy, but to see myself that I’m just getting mature, see myself that I just handle every situation much better than before, and that makes me really, really proud about myself.”
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