​Carlos Alcaraz, the number one favorite at Roland Garros, lost in the semifinals to Novak Djokovic. The Iberian was injured at the beginning of the 3rd set and could not keep up with the former ATP leader.

Carlos AlcarazPhoto: Jean Catuffe/Dppi/Zuma Press/Profimedia

The tension of the game forced Alcaraz to succumb in a match with Novak Djokovic

Carlos Alcaraz missed the chance to play the second Grand Slam final of his career.

The ATP No. 1 player failed to advance to the semifinals against Novak Djokovic also due to a muscle problem he blamed early on in the third set.

The Iberian gritted his teeth and continued but Nole’s experience showed and the Serb took advantage of the 2022 US Open winner’s reduced game speed.

After the match, Alcaraz talked about the setback he suffered against Nole and the main reason for his downfall during the game.

“It was very difficult for me. I have never felt what I felt today. I have never felt such tension. I was disappointed in myself. In a game like this, when I started to feel good physically and have cramps at the end of the second set – the beginning of the third set, it was very disappointing. But things like this happen and you have to deal with it.

The first two sets were very intense. I had cramping in my arms, and at the beginning of the third set I started cramping all over my body, not just in my legs, but all over my arms.

I had a really hard time moving in the third set. In the fourth set we had a small chance, but it was very difficult.

I started having convulsions all over my body. I think it’s because of the tension in the match. I was very nervous at the beginning of the game.

I was tense in the first sets. The first two were very intense, with beautiful exchanges, difficult exchanges, drop shots, sprints… Djokovic has a mix of different styles of play, but the main thing was the tension I felt in the first two sets.

I have had cramps during matches, but not to this level. I can give an example, the match with Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2021 at the US Open.

I also had convulsions then, but not of such intensity.” – said the head of ATP at the press conference.

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