In the fast-paced world of professional tennis, where youth often overshadows experience, Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish prodigy, has offered a striking tribute to Novak Djokovic’s enduring brilliance. Fresh off a practice session with the Serbian legend at the Monte Carlo Masters, Alcaraz described Djokovic’s physical condition as “crazy,” likening his 37-year-old rival’s fitness to that of a 25-year-old. Speaking at the Qatar Open, Alcaraz expressed awe at Djokovic’s ability to compete at an elite level and boldly predicted that the 24-time Grand Slam champion could still be a force at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. “I think he’s capable to do it,” Alcaraz declared, envisioning Djokovic, who would be 41 by then, chasing another Olympic medal.
Alcaraz’s admiration stems from Djokovic’s remarkable career, which includes an Olympic gold medal won against Alcaraz himself at the 2024 Paris Games, a victory that completed the Serbian’s Career Golden Slam. That thrilling final, a 7-6, 7-6 tiebreak masterclass on Roland Garros clay, showcased Djokovic’s ability to summon his best tennis under pressure, even after knee surgery earlier that year. “He deserved this position,” Alcaraz said graciously after the match, acknowledging Djokovic’s relentless drive. Their rivalry, now spanning eight encounters with Djokovic leading 5-3, has produced some of tennis’s most electrifying moments, including Alcaraz’s straight-sets triumph in the 2024 Wimbledon final and Djokovic’s four-set retaliation at the 2025 Australian Open quarterfinals. “With his results at his age, he has been more than all of us,” Djokovic noted of Alcaraz at the Madrid Open, a nod to the Spaniard’s four Grand Slam titles at such a young age.
Alcaraz’s prediction about Djokovic’s Olympic future is rooted in the Serbian’s meticulous self-care. “He has taken good care of his body,” Alcaraz observed, marveling at how Djokovic has defied the physical toll of a sport that often retires players by their mid-30s. Djokovic’s 2024 season, though lean by his standards with “only” the Olympic gold as a title, still saw him reach the Wimbledon final and maintain a top-10 ranking. His ability to rebound from setbacks—like a meniscus tear that forced a French Open withdrawal—has kept him competitive against the likes of Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who claimed the other three majors last year. “If he wants to play the next Olympics and can do it, I would be more than happy to play and share good moments with him,” Alcaraz added, expressing enthusiasm for another potential clash in Los Angeles.
The Spaniard’s own ambitions mirror Djokovic’s longevity. At 21, Alcaraz is already the youngest man to reach Grand Slam finals on clay, grass, and hard courts, with titles at the 2022 US Open, 2023 and 2024 Wimbledon, and 2024 French Open. “I hope I can last like them, still playing well at 37 or 38,” he said, citing Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Serena Williams as inspirations. His recent clay-court form, including a semifinal run in Madrid, positions him as a Roland Garros favorite, yet he remains in awe of Djokovic’s ability to “come again and be able to win the tournament” after months without competitive play, as he noted before the 2025 Australian Open.
The prospect of Djokovic competing in 2028 is tantalizing. No male tennis player has reached an Olympic singles final at 41, but Djokovic’s history of defying odds—winning gold at 37 after three semifinal losses—makes it plausible. Alcaraz’s comments reflect not just respect but a challenge to himself to match such durability. As both players prepare for the French Open, their mutual admiration and fierce rivalry promise to captivate fans, with the Los Angeles Olympics looming as a potential stage for another epic showdown.
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