By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday November 19, 2023

After facing Novak Djokovic on an indoor court for the first time in Saturday's semifinals at the Nitto ATP Finals, Carlos Alcaraz confirms what the tennis world has been saying about Novak Djokovic for the past two decades.

"He’s unbelievable."



“He's really, really tough,” Alcaraz said after falling to the World No.1 6-3, 6-2. “He plays the same level during the whole match. The shot quality he has is unbelievable. He plays really, really deep. It's really difficult to take advantage from that.

“Once again, he has shown why he's the best player in the world.”

Alcaraz, who defeated Djokovic in the Wimbledon final in five thrilling sets, falls to 2-3 lifetime against Djokovic after dropping decisions to him in Cincinnati and Turin.

Update: Djokovic finished off his seventh ATP Finals title run on Sunday, dismantling Jannik Sinner 6-3, 6-3 in the final.

Alcaraz, says he felt close to Djokovic in the outdoor venues they played at this year but felt like the 36-year-old is on another level indoors.

“I feel like I am not [at his] level in indoor court obviously,” he said. “I've played great matches in Wimbledon, in Cincinnati, in Roland Garros. I felt in that match that I'm [at his] level.

“Once we step on the indoor court, I feel like I have to practice more, I have to be better player. Obviously he has more experience than me playing in these tournaments, in these courts.

“It's not about just serving against him. He has a great return game. Unbelievable, I'm going to say. As I said, he pushes you to a limit in every ball, every shot.”