Carlos Alcaraz 'seemed very stressed' as Novak Djokovic question gets dodged
Carlos Alcaraz recently beat Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final
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Carlos Alcaraz 'seemed very stressed' during his Wimbledon final clash with Novak Djokovic.
That's according to tennis star Iga Swiatek, who has lavished praise on the Spaniard following his remarkable Grand Slam triumph.
Alcaraz's maiden Wimbledon final started poorly, with Djokovic winning the first set 6-1 with very little fuss.
But his younger opponent then came roaring back to claim a second Grand Slam of his career, having won the US Open last year.
Iga Swiatek has lavished praise on Carlos Alcaraz following his Wimbledon triumph
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Swiatek has now lavished praise on Alcaraz, observing the 20-year-old looked 'very stressed' before he sensationally turned things round.
"I was impressed with how Alcaraz pulled himself together after the first set where he seemed very stressed and it was evident that he couldn't play his tennis, that Novak was dominating the court," said the WTA world No 1.
"The way he came back in the final shows a lot of maturity.
"Despite his young age, he already has a lot of experience and knows how to get out of trouble."
Swiatek was then asked if Alcaraz's win could usher in a new era for the men's game.
Yet she side-stepped the question, instead preferring to sit on the fence with Djokovic a player she won't write off.
"I don't know if I can answer that question," she said. "But without a doubt, it was a breakthrough game.
"Novak has won most of the Grand Slam finals he has played in."
Djokovic has won the most Grand Slams in men's tennis history, with his first crown coming all the way back in 2008.
Yet he's also lost the most finals, too.
Djokovic's defeat to Alcaraz was the 12th time he's fallen at the final hurdle.
After the match, the Serb praised his rival for the way he conducted himself during the game - insisting he's not faced an opponent like him.
"I didn't expect him to play so well this year on grass, but he's proven he's the best player in the world," he said.
"I haven't played a player like him ever, to be honest.
"I think people have been talking in the past 12 months or so about his game consisting of certain elements from Roger, Rafa, and myself.
"I would agree with that.
"He's got basically the best of all three worlds. He's got this Spanish bull mentality, fighting spirit and incredible defence that we've seen with Rafa.
"I think he's got some nice sliding backhands, some similarities with my backhands.
"He is a complete player."
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Carlos Alcaraz was too strong for Novak Djokovic in the recent Wimbledon final
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Alcaraz was clearly delighted with the Serb's comments, saying: "It's crazy that Novak said that. But I consider myself a really complete player.
"I have the shots, the strength physically, the strength mentally.
"Probably he's right. But I don't want to think about it. I'm the full Carlos Alcaraz, let's say."