It’s the worst thing” – Carlos Alcaraz reveals his feelings about running into Novak Djokovic while “really wanting to win”…….

It’s the worst thing” – Carlos Alcaraz reveals his feelings about running into Novak Djokovic while “really wanting to win” Australian Open

Carlos Alcaraz (L) pictured with Novak Djokovic at Australian Open 2025 (R) – Image Source: Getty

 

“It’s the worst thing” – Carlos Alcaraz reveals his feelings about running into Novak Djokovic while “really wanting to win” Australian Open

 

Ahead of his opening match, Carlos Alcaraz opened up about his heartbreaking 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 defeat to Novak Djokovic, which crushed his career Grand Slam dream for the season. Responding to a question posed by Sportskeeda about whether the 10-time champion’s retirement in the semifinal against Alexander Zverev made his own exit more painful, the Spaniard said:

 

“I don’t feel that it was a missed opportunity against Novak,” he clarified in his press conference.

“I really wanted to win the tournament and felt I was able to but Novak played an unbelievable match,” he said.

Alcaraz added that he is hopeful of competing for at least 10-15 more years to present himself with such opportunities in the future. He called facing Novak Djokovic in the final eight of a Grand Slam “the worst thing.”

 

“Facing Novak in the quarterfinals of Grand Slams – I think it’s the worst thing that you can (have) in a Grand Slam,” he said.

Carlos Alcaraz, who now trails Djokovic 3-5 in their rivalry, assured that his battle against the Serb was enlightening.

 

“It was a pretty good match, I guess. I tried to take some really good things about that match – there was a lot.”

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“The season has just begun. A lot of tournaments ahead. As I said, I have to take the good things about the loses just to be better, so that’s what I did,” Carlos Alcaraz added.

Carlos Alcaraz shifts focus to ATP 500 in Rotterdam after Novak Djokovic loss

Carlos Alcaraz pictured at the 2025 ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam – Image Source: GettyCarlos Alcaraz pictured at the 2025 ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam – Image Source: Getty

After a brief holiday with his family following his loss to Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz has commenced his practice sessions at the ATP 500 in Rotterdam (February 3-9). The Spaniard is the top seed at the event given defending champion Jannik Sinner’s withdrawal.

 

Alcaraz begins his campaign against a familiar opponent, Botic van de Zandschulp, on Tuesday, February 4. The Dutchman, who received a wildcard entry into his home tournament, prevailed in their most recent encounter—a straight-sets win in the second round of the 2024 US Open.

 

Meanwhile, the four-time Grand Slam champion came out on top in straight sets in their other two meetings at the Swiss Indoors Basel (2022) and the

Australian Open (2021).