Analysis of Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic, final of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Carlos Navarro | 3 Aug 2024 | 21.45

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It is the best match that the ATP circuit can currently witness. Narratives, quality, age and generational difference, tactical adjustments, hunger, greatness: there are thousands of reasons why every duel between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic manages to stop the world and capture the public's attention to the sport of tennis. If we add that the seventh clash of this rivalry will take place at the most media-covered sporting event in the world, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, with the Olympic gold medal as a major incentive... can anyone top that?

The youngest Olympic finalist against the most veteran Olympic finalist (since tennis returned to the Olympics in Seoul in '88). The rematch of the last Grand Slam final. The tiebreaker of a head-to-head in which both have three wins each. The final chance for Nole to conquer the only Everest missing in his career, to be able to say, now indeed, that he has won absolutely everything; the first opportunity (because, if all goes well, there will be more) for Carlos to bring Olympic glory back to Spain and indulge in winning three of the four major events of this season... at just 21 years old. Incentives are certainly not lacking in a match that will keep the Philippe Chatrier on the edge, a setting well-known to both.

Last year, the Serbian surprised the Spaniard in their Roland Garros 2023 semifinals with an unusual approach. Constantly targeting the crosscourt forehand of the Murcian, hitting flat, diagonally, and with great force, Djokovic shielded himself from the power and explosiveness of Alcaraz's inverted forehand, forcing him to adapt to a pattern in which he wasn't as comfortable. It took Carlos a set to adjust to this match scenario, to find solutions... and when he did, however, the whirlwind of nerves and pressure that had piled up in the first hour of the match decided to sabotage him.

A year and two months later, of course, the scenario is very different now. Like the best apprentices, Carlos took that match as a lesson. He learned, shook off the scratches, and proceeded to unleash all his creativity to impose his youth, freshness, ball weight, and the over 15-year difference between them. With countless variations, a revitalized serve, and an ability to generate winning shots from anywhere, he dethroned Novak at past Wimbledon and repeated the feat this year, in a hugely uneven clash where the Serbian didn't even claim a set.

AND NOW, WHAT'S NEXT?

In these Olympic Games, no one has played better than Alcaraz. The Murcian has been a steamroller who understands tennis better than ever: one could say he is at the peak maturity of his career since he has hardly shown any disconnections throughout the tournament, has managed his physical condition despite the strain he endures, and excels like no one else in crucial points, coming out on top of the few tough situations he has faced (especially that second set against Paul in the quarterfinals) through sheer dominance. The favoritism lies with the one from El Palmar, something that seems to matter very little to him, but we'll see if it ends up being another factor: how he deals with nerves and pressure when vying for the Olympic gold seems to be the main aspect that could detract from his best form.

Djokovic also seemed to have regained momentum in Paris: his early matches, especially his victory over Nadal, hinted at a renewed Serbian, moving with more freedom than in London, aware that this is his last chance to achieve the coveted gold. Unfortunately, the slight discomforts that could reappear in the quarterfinals against Tsitsipas raised a small question mark over his performance, a doubt that seemed to be dispelled in the semifinals against Musetti, but that has slightly dampened his sensations, arriving at the title match showing his most nervous and vulnerable side.

However, Nole expressed in the post-match interview that this tension was a result of the semifinal match: the Serbian had never been able to overcome this round, haunted by ghosts everywhere preventing him from showing his best self. Having crossed this barrier, Novak will need an exceptional performance to narrow the gap against Carlos: a serve sharper than ever, attacking the forehand with vigor and freshness, preparing for the directional changes his rival will propose, not losing ground... a perfect storm that, even so, might not be enough. No one is flying on the court like Carlos, but no one desires the gold like Djokovic; no one raises the bar like Carlos, but no one enjoys the role of wounded wolf like Djokovic. The Balkan's last miracle or the new king's final show of strength? Paris will crown an Olympic champion... and the world will once again pause for this battle of titans. What are your predictions?

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Análisis del Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic, final de los Juegos Olímpicos París 2024

Novak Djokovic