What Novak Djokovic thought about Carlos Alcaraz before playing him for the first time

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Three years ago, Carlos Alcaraz took the tennis world by storm, announcing himself as the next big star on the ATP Tour.

Starting 2022 ranked outside the top 30, the Spaniard quickly cracked the top ten and ultimately finished the season as the world number one.

Alcaraz won his first Grand Slam title that year, defeating Casper Ruud in the US Open final at the age of just 19.

Earlier in the season at the Madrid Open, he faced Novak Djokovic for the first time in a clash of generations.

Before their bout, the Serb delivered his verdict on the young star that would go on to defeat him in two consecutive Wimbledon finals.

Novak Djokovic’s thoughts of Carlos Alcaraz before their first clash

When asked in an interview with Tennis TV how much of a threat Alcaraz was that year, Djokovic responded: “I don’t think he’s a threat. He’s already there.

“You know, he’s not any more a young up-and-coming player. He’s already an established top player. And his rise to the top ten of the world was incredible and super fast.

“To show that much maturity, mentally also game-wise, for someone who is 18 years old is very, very impressive.

“There’s a lot of superlatives going around for him and his game from many different champions, former champions, and I think we all agree that he’s the future of men’s tennis, but also present, because of everything he has achieved so far this year.”

Alcaraz defeated Djokovic in the Spanish capital, opening his account in what has turned out to be a competitive rivalry, despite the 16-year age gap.

Novak Djokovic’s record against Carlos Alcaraz after their first match

Their next meeting came in the semifinals of Roland Garros, where Djokovic levelled the head-to-head en route to his 23rd major title.

The two then clashed in the Wimbledon final later that summer, which Alcaraz won in five sets to emerge victorious at the All England Club for the first time.

After that, Djokovic clinched two consecutive wins in Cincinnati and at the ATP Finals, before losing to him for the second year in a row in SW19.

In their last two matchups, the 24-time Grand Slam champion has come out on top, beating Alcaraz in the Paris Olympics final and again in the Australian Open quarterfinals.