"Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz were ’enemies’ on court, but after…unbelievable" - Serb's ex-trainer recalls 'beautiful' moment from Cincinnati 2023
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz have played some memorable matches in the short time that their burgeoning rivalry has lasted. For Marco Panichi, the Serb’s former trainer though, one encounter stands out.
When asked to single out some of Djokovic’s most memorable matches in a recent interview with Tennis Majors, Panichi recalled the 2023 Cincinnati Open.
Dubbing the encounter “amazing”, Panichi said the match was a showcase for both players’ tennis as well as mental prowess. He went on to highlight the camaraderie between the two, revealing that they shared a beautiful moment in the locker room as well.
"There were so many," Novak Djokovic's fitness coach said. "For me, last year’s final with Carlos Alcaraz in Cincinnati was something amazing. That match was tremendous, not only from a tennis standpoint, but also mentally."
"Effort and resilience from those two great players, it really was something extraordinary. But the most wonderful moment happened in the locker room after the final," he added.
Panichi noted that both Djokovic and Alcaraz were “destroyed” after the physically and emotionally draining three-set marathon, but still made time to share a laugh in the locker room. He said the duo may be rivals on the court, but their relationship transcends tennis.
"The guys were destroyed physically because it was so hot, but after three minutes we were all laughing together, both teams," the Serb's fitness coach recalled. "Amazing spirit."
"We all enjoyed what we did. Of course, Carlos was a little bit sad in the beginning, but he was perfect after a while too. That moment was beautiful – they were ’enemies’ on court, sporting enemies, but after…unbelievable," he added.
Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz get their 2024 US Open campaigns off to strong starts
Both Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz have gotten their 2024 US Open campaigns off to solid starts, with the Serb even coming through for a spot in the third round on Thursday.
Djokovic had opened his account with a straight-sets win over Radu Albot. He was in cruise control of the encounter, coming through 6-2, 6-2, 6-4. The Serb then followed it with another dominant showing against compatriot Laslo Djere. Unfortunately, the latter had to pull the plug on the match in the third set, with his opponent leading 6-4, 6-4, 2-0.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, was tested by Li Tu in his opening-round encounter. The Spaniard overcame a mid-match stumble to win in four sets 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
While Djokovic will next take on Alexei Popyrin for a spot in the second week, Alcaraz will lock horns with Botic van de Zandschulp for a spot in the third round.