"I didn't play every round either": Djokovic jumps to defense of Carlos Alcaraz despite being gutted at Davis Cup absence

Sunday, 17 September 2023 at 11:20

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Novak Djokovic defended Carlos Alcaraz after his absence from the Davis Cup.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion arrived in Valencia to compete in the Davis Cup with the Serbian team, where Spain is one of their group rivals along with South Korea and the Czech Republic.

Spain had a tough start, losing 3-0 to the Czech Republic in the opening match, while Serbia secured a 3-0 victory over the South Koreans. Regarding Alcaraz's absence, Djokovic justified it and emphasized the importance of understanding each player's context:

"You have to protect the players in these situations. Of course there will be people disappointed because he has not come to play for Spain, people who do not understand that he is tired at 20 years old and someone who is 36 like me is here. It is important to understand each context, last year he won the title and was here to play, don't forget that, he came here with hardly any time to rest," Djokovic said.

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"I know that he loves to play for Spain, that he will do it many times in his career, I know that he will end up winning this title at some point. Don't take this into account, in my 20 years of career I didn't go to play in every qualifying round either and people's response was not always positive.

“It is difficult to always be an example for everyone, but we are traveling the world all year round, competing in tournaments, pushing our body to the limit, at some point it is necessary to rest," he added.

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‘Nole' also shared his opinion about Alcaraz, with whom he has competed for the world No. 1 ranking over the past year:

“In terms of results, I think they are already there. He has only been playing on the circuit for a couple of years and has already won two Grand Slams, in addition to being the youngest No. 1 in history. Everything he achieved last year is incredible for a boy who is only 19 years old, it is something impressive for the history of our sport."

"He is a special boy, he will have a spectacular career if he stays healthy and maintains this level of tennis, although nothing can guarantee that he will end up being one of the best in history."

"They know you more and more, the rivals are understanding how you play, what I can say is that he is one of the players who has impressed me the most when it comes to facing him. The arrival of Carlos Alcaraz is very good for tennis," Djokovic concluded.

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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