By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Monday, July 3, 2023

Facing Novak Djokovic on Roland Garros' red clay was a punishing learning experience for Carlos Alcaraz.

The 36-year-old Djokovic broke the 20-year-old Alcaraz's legs down causing the Spanish phenom to cramp in his 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 semifinal conquest.  

Wimbledon Preview

Aiming for a rematch with seven-time Wimbledon winner Djokovic at The Championships, Alcaraz said the single toughest task of facing Djokovic is coping with the relentless pressure he imposes over best-of-five sets.

"The pressure. I would say the pressure that [Djokovic] put to everyone," Alcaraz told the media in his pre-Wimbledon presser. "You know, not only to me, to everyone to play at their best about three hours in a Grand Slam. I'm talking about the Grand Slam.

"I have to deal with that, but is something that I really want it. I hope to play a final here against him. But for me, this probably is the toughest thing facing Novak."



The reigning US Open champion said Djokovic is even more devastating on grass because he does everything right.

"[Djokovic] do the things really, really easy," Alcaraz said. "He moves really well. He hits the ball really well, really clearly. He has clean shot.

"It's a mix of everything. I would say he doesn't do anything wrong. He always make really easy everything. It's really tough to find some weakness on his game."



Cameron Norrie, who took a set off Djokovic in the 2022 Wimbledon semifinals, said the Serbian's ability to answer from all areas of the court makes opponents press even more.

"He's always finishing better and better as the matches go on. I think over five sets, it's obviously really tough to beat him," Norrie said of Djokovic. "You end up overplaying a little bit at times. He makes you hit such tough shots, even kind of easy shot balls, he makes you feel like you have to go for the perfect one.

"You can learn a lot from matches like that and playing with him. He plays at such a high level. A lot of respect for him, especially on this surface."

So how will Alcaraz, who defeated Alex de Minaur to capture his maiden grass-court title at Queen's Club last month, challenge Djokovic, who has not lost a Centre Court match in a decade?

Alcaraz aims to amp up his aggression on the SW19 lawns.

"I always say that I try to play aggressive all the time. I think my style, it's always to play aggressive," Alcaraz said. "I think that's the most important thing here on grass: to be aggressive, to try to go to the net, trying to hit big shots.

"Coming here to Wimbledon with a lot of confidence, thinking that I'm able to do a good results here. But obviously for me the main favorite is Djokovic. That's obviously.

"But my expectations are high. I think I will be able to put the pressure on the other players, even Djokovic as well. But all I can say is I feel with a lot of confidence and I feel ready to do good things here."

Photo credit: Mutua Madrid Open