🎙️Rick Macci; “Carlos Alcaraz is the best motivator on the ATP tour as he has made every player work harder work smarter and visit a local hardware store and buy more tools.” #RickMacci | #CarlosAlcaraz
"The Alcaraz effect got to him": Serena Williams' ex-coach Macci says it was not the 'pressure' that got to Djokovic in Wimbledon final
Tennis NewsFriday, 04 August 2023 at 15:55
Rick Macci has revealed his thoughts on the 2023 Wimbledon final, saying that it wasn't the pressure that got to Novak Djokovic, but instead the effect of his opponent Carlos Alcaraz.
This year's SW19 final was a thrilling head-to-head between seven-time champion Djokovic and young tennis star Alcaraz, ranked No. 2 and No. 1 respectively in the ATP world rankings. After a gripping five sets, it was the 20-year-old who took the victory, winning 1-6, 7-6 (6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4.
This impressive feat was the first time a player had managed to defeat Djokovic on Centre Court in ten years at the grasscourt major, and in doing so, Alcaraz stopped the Serb from equaling Roger Federer's eight-win record at the tournament.
Macci calls it 'the Alcaraz effect'
Macci, a seven-time USPTA Coach of the Year who has trained the likes of Venus and Serena Williams, has now weighed in on the exciting final. Whilst many believe Djokovic lost the match due to the pressure of trying to reach Federer's record, Macci has a different opinion.
"He's definitely human, but no, the pressure did not get to him. The Alcaraz effect got to him," he said of the 23-time Grand Slam champion.
The American coach referred specifically to a crucial rally that Alcaraz won, which Rennae Stubbs has already said could have changed the whole result of the match if Djokovic had not missed.
"You gotta remember, Carlos made a bunch of great saves during that rally, he got back two or three balls that most guys on the tour will not," Macci added.
Macci full of praise for Alcaraz
The 68-year-old went on to further compliment the two-time Grand Slam champion, particularly the quality of his shots.
"See, he counters quality with quality where the rest of the world misses, or they lob it, or whatever. And even Djoker said: 'I've never played anybody like Alcaraz.' What a compliment. And he's played everybody,
"And that's a 20-year-old kid we're talking about. First time Wimbledon finals. So I think there's a lot of meat on the bone. So no, the pressure didn't get to him, and he wasn't thinking about anything other than, you know, when one person plays good and the other plays bad, or when people miss, your opponent usually has something to do with it, and people don't understand that," he added.
Macci also showed a lot of enthusiasm in regards to the futures of both Alcaraz and Djokovic in the sport, saying 'the best is yet to come' in terms of their meetings.
"I mean, you gotta give credit to Alcaraz and not take anything away from Djokovic. But that being said, I think the best is still yet to come."
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- Timing is everything 😁
AceOfBase08-05-2024 - Would be nice if she gets in. Always better for the tournament.AceOfBase08-05-2024
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