Rivalries in sports have always captured the attention of fans around the world. Whether it’s on the field, pitch, ring, cage or even the tennis court, these battles between the best have always brought with them a sense of excitement that only a handful of events can match.
The raw emotion and electricity of a clash of bitter rivals has almost always produced fireworks and it was no different during the Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic match on 4 August 2024 which saw the latter holding back the young prodigy to claim the coveted gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
Their fixture was one of the most exciting battles of will and skill that professional tennis has seen this year. The ebb and flow of the match was only surpassed by the skill and resilience shown by both competitors. In the end, Djokovic’s experience got the better of Alcaraz’s young blood.
Here is how the rivalry stands at present:
- Number of matches: Eight
- Wins for Carlos Alcaraz: Three
- Wins for Novak Djokovic: Five
As it ranks in the pantheon of the greatest rivalries in tennis, join us as we deep-dive into the Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic rivalry in detail.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic: When did the rivalry begin?
The two first met each other at the ATP Masters 1000 Madrid tournament where the then 19-year-old stunned the crowd and pundits alike by defeating the Serbian in a close match to cinch the title. It was his coming out party and the world now knew exactly who he was. Novak was unfettered though as he stormed back at Roland-Garros in 2023 to tie the rivalry. It took the veteran four sets to do it but he got the job done and it was then that fans knew there was something special about the contests where these two took on each other. Then at the world’s biggest stage at Wimbledon 2023, Carlos Alcaraz stunned the Serbian once again, beating him in the finals to take over his spot as the number 1 seeded player in the world. As humiliating a defeat as that was, you can’t keep a good soldier down and Djokovic rallied back to hand the Spaniard another defeat on 21 August at the Cincinnati Open.
On one hand, we have the young 20-year-old upstart, looking to make a name for himself in the world of professional tennis. On the other, a grizzled veteran with undeniable skills and a wealth of knowledge owing to several impressive title wins. These are the rivalries that make sports so great. The very human experience of the young taking on the old, in the most simplistic terms, is how this rivalry could be looked at. Questions regarding Djokovic’s athletic prime, his longevity in the sport and his love for the game were all raised by a media that looked like it had an axe to grind with the Serbian. Maybe his refusal to take the COVID-19 vaccine played a part in the bad press, but as far as his skills are concerned, they are undeniable. Sure, he’s had to claw his way back from heavy defeats but the measure of a man like this cannot be summarised through just his defeats, it’s what he does after he’s lost it all that really counts. And, as far as winning is concerned, it looks like Djokovic has no plans of slowing down whatsoever.
Now let’s take a look at all of the Carlos Alcaraz vs Djokovic head-to-head fixtures in a bit more detail:
ATP Masters 1000, Madrid (Semi-Finals) – 2022
The two rivals first met at the ATP Masters 100 Madrid tournament in 2022. Alcaraz was 19 at the time and looking to make a splash in the world of professional tennis. On the other hand, Djokovic was walking into enemy territory in Spain. In what can be called a true show of grit and determination, Alcaraz showed incredible skills to win the match 6-7 (5), 7-5, 7-6 (5). As most pundits at the time claimed, this was a thrilling contest between a rising star and a legend looking to hold on to his spot. Alcaraz was seeded number 7 at the time and this win propelled him into superstardom. In fact, he even defeated the great Rafael Nadal in the same tournament, picking up two scalps in the process. This was undoubtedly where the world was introduced to the undeniable talent of Carlos Alcaraz.
Rafael Nadal Vs Novak Djokovic: Who Is The Better Player?
A Look At The Richest Tennis Players In The World In 2024: Roger Federer, Serena Williams And More
Roland Garros, France (Semi-Finals) – 2023
In what was meant to be a crowning moment for the young Spaniard at Roland Garros, Djokovic swept in and snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Alcaraz was looking like the world champion everyone thought he was and was expected to make short work of the Serbian, but as luck would have it, Djokovic showed up with a chip on his shoulder and took it to the Spaniard, beating him over the course of four sets with a score of 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1. It was a return to form for Djokovic as he dispatched his rival in the semi-finals and went on to win the entire tournament. Alcaraz did state that he felt nervous before the fixture and also went on to deal with severe cramping during the match. But, being the sportsman that he is, he brushed it all away and gave all the credit to his budding rival.
Wimbledon, Great Britain (Finals) – 2023
The third meeting between the two superstars took place at the prestigious Wimbledon tournament in England. With a win against his rival under his belt, Djokovic felt confident heading into the finals against a determined and focused Alcaraz. The match was a close contest with both contestants giving it their all.
Unfortunately, it was not meant to be for Djokovic as after a rough start, the Spaniard came roaring back to defeat the Serbian by a score of 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 on a surface he rules over. It was a stunning victory that had sports pundits all over the world proclaiming Alcaraz as the biggest thing in tennis. The young Spaniard had proven that he belonged at the top of the rankings and duly took over the number 1 spot from Djokovic.
ATP Masters 1000, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA (Finals) – 2023
Not content with just one victory under his belt, Djokovic stormed back in Cincinnati to even out the score against Alcaraz. With the odds stacked against him, the Serbian again proved why he cannot be counted out, even at his age. He had to fight through an early match point and rallied back to defeat his rival with a score of 5-7, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (4) to take home the prize. In the early going, it looked like Djokovic was struggling against the oppressive heat but being the great that he is, he fought back to win the tournament, tying the score in head-to-head fixtures against Alcaraz with two wins a piece. It was a thrilling match that saw an old lion take his rightful place at the top of the tennis mountain.
Wimbledon, Great Britain (Finals) – 2024
It is often said that history repeats itself. And that is precisely what happened at Wimbledon 2024.
Contrasting emotions surrounded Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz as they headed to the All England Club for the summit clash. While the Serbian’s last Grand Slam win came in 2023, Alcaraz was running high on confidence as he won the French Open in June 2024.
While everyone expected it to be a nail-biting affair, the young Spaniard made Djokovic bite the dust in the final. He won the match in straight sets by a scoreline of 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 to defend his crown. In the process, Alcaraz completed the Channel Slam — winning the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year.
Paris Olympics, France (Finals) – 2024
With the gold medal at stake, both Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic came out all guns blazing. It did not matter to them how many Grand Slam matches they had won against each other — the topmost honour at the grandest sports meet is all that counted.
Even though he is a talented young lad with a decorated track record on the ATP Tour, Alcaraz succumbed to Djokovic’s skill and experience. The Serbian won the match by a score of 7-6, 7-6 to clinch his maiden gold medal at the Olympics.
Interestingly, this was his second medal at the Olympics — he previously won a bronze medal in 2008 defeating American tennis player James Blake.
Casper Ruud: His Net Worth, Endorsements And Career Highlights
What Is Novak Djokovic’s Net Worth? Take A Look At The Ace Tennis Player’s Earnings
(Main Image Credit: Roland Garros/Instagram; Featured Image Credit: Carlos Alcaraz Garfia/Instagram)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Novak Djokovic has beaten Carlos Alcaraz five times.
As of August 2024, Novak Djokovic holds the second spot on the ATP men's rankings, while Carlos Alcaraz is ranked third.
