France's Carlos Alcaraz admitted he suffered cramps from being too nervous during his Roland Garros semi-final on June 9 against Novak Djokovic - whom he considers a legend.
"I have never felt as nervous as I did in this match," Alcaraz said after losing to Djokovic on June 9. "It was really difficult for me. The first two sets were so tense and I started to get cramps in my arms. When the third set started, I had cramps in every part of my body, not just my legs. It was very difficult to move in the last two sets."
Djokovic (right) approached Alcaraz after the Spanish player suffered from cramps. Photo: AP
Alcaraz and Djokovic performed top-notch tennis, as fans expected in the first two sets. But due to the tension after the mind games and skill competition with the Serbian senior, Alcaraz suffered cramps at the beginning of the third set and had difficulty moving. The 20-year-old lost the match and lost 3-6, 7-5, 1-6, 1-6 in the Roland Garros semi-finals.
"I was too nervous from the start," Alcaraz added. "The cramp was a result of many factors. I had to go through many difficult rallies, too much acceleration. But the main reason was still too much stress. I have to learn from big races like this."
Alcaraz said he would try not to suffer any unfortunate cramps in a big match in the future, but he is not sure he will be less nervous when facing Nole again. "Djokovic is a legend," Alcaraz said of his senior. "If someone says he is not nervous when Djokovic is on the other court, he is lying. Grand Slam semi-finals are stressful, but it is more nervous when Djokovic is the opponent. Next time I play him, I hope I will be different, but the nervousness is still there."
Main developments of the Alcaraz - Djokovic match on June 9.
The semifinal defeat on June 9 was only Alcaraz's fourth in 39 matches this season. He will lose his world number one ranking if Djokovic beats Casper Ruud in the Roland Garros final on June 11. Alcaraz will rest for more than a week before making his first appearance at the Queen's Club Championships, which will be held in England from June 19-25.
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