"He played better coming here, but this is Grand Slam": Goran Ivanisevic found it strange that Djokovic was written off for Roland Garros
ATP
Carlos Alcaraz was widely considered the favourite for Roland Garros and even in the match against Djokovic many sided with the Spaniard over the Serbian which confused the latter's coach Goran Ivanisevic.
Ivanisevic wasn't the only one surprised by that as former player Rennae Stubbs also questioned why Alcaraz was favoured against Djokovic considering the huge difference in experience which ultimately matters in best-of-five matches. Ivasenivic also didn't get it as he explained it all as strange:
"All this for me was little strange. Even I read a lot of paper, a lot of people saying that Alcaraz is a favourite against Novak. You cannot say that. The guy played 33 Grand Slam finals. He won 22 Grand Slams (coming into the Alcaraz match)."
Read also
Amazing Carlos Alcaraz
Ivanisevic has nothing against Alcaraz, in fact, he loves him as a player but there are a lot of things that he needs to learn still in order to become a great champion like Djokovic did. The cramps that ultimately ruined him in the match against Djokovic were caused by a combination of factors that were all in control of Alcaraz but he didn't handle it well which is the lack of experience.
When it comes to Ivanisevic and his thoughts on Alcaraz, he had this to say:
"Alcaraz is the next unbelievable. He's amazing. I love Carlos, and he's going to win I don't know how many Grand Slams, but you cannot say that he's a favorite. Yeah, he played better coming here, but this is Grand Slam."
He will learn with time and become better with the next chance coming at Wimbledon. It's not his best surface but many learned how to play well on it and Alcaraz certainly can do the same. There is no lack of hunger to succeed which is the most important part.
Read also
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- I, like writer of this wonderful article, also picked Noskova to win this entire thing. I would love it if she and Andreeva are in the final.Rapunzel12-11-2026
- "Priorities", Saba... spend less time in front of cameras, anti-Social Media, selfies and back to Tennis.
mandoist12-11-2026 - Tell this to Andreeva!
mandoist12-11-2026 - Andreeva with 11 games in a row to add to Saba's downward spiral issue !!! Personal feelings aside... Jess Pegula may want to reassess her evaluation of Mirra's abilities.
mandoist12-11-2026 - I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.
mandoist09-11-2026 - Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!
mandoist09-11-2026 - "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?
mandoist09-11-2026 - Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.
mandoist08-11-2026 - Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??
mandoist08-11-2026








