Djokovic, after losing to Alcaraz: "Everything flowed, I felt the ball, and suddenly there was a sudden drop in energy, I am no longer myself"
The Serbian laments the missed opportunity against the Spanish in Australia: "I don't know if I will play another Grand Slam final," but he shows pride: "I lost to an already legendary player."
For the first time in eleven finals, Novak Djokovic didn't come out as the winner at the Australian Open. The Serbian once again showed a display of passion for tennis, competitive hunger, effort, and endurance. He raised alarms when he secured an immaculate first set, but Carlos Alcaraz woke up in time, and the Balkan's energy waned. Nonetheless, he fought in the fourth set, but it was insufficient to prevent the Spanish player's first title in Melbourne (2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5).
There will always be the question of what would have happened if the match had gone to the fifth set, but despite that, Novak Djokovic's two weeks at the Australian Open have been remarkable. At 38 years old, the Belgrade native has proven that he still has the strength, tennis skills, and drive to continue competing head-to-head with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
However, his press conference after his defeat revealed his disappointment in his disconnect during the second and third sets, something that, according to Djokovic himself, he can no longer control. Furthermore, he took the opportunity to praise Carlos Alcaraz and highlight his two weeks in Melbourne.
Novak Djokovic regrets missing the chance to win his eleventh Australian Open against Carlos Alcaraz
"I have to be honest and say that the taste and feeling left after losing a Grand Slam final are very bitter, especially in the situation I find myself in, with many years already, and returning to play a Grand Slam final after three years. I don't know how God will arrange things in the future or if I will have another chance to play in another Grand Slam final, so I was, so to speak, very sharp and focused on seizing my opportunity, and I started really phenomenally."
... (remaining text preserved) ...This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Djokovic, tras caer ante Alcaraz: "Todo fluía, sentía la pelota, y de repente llegó una caída brusca de energía, ya no soy yo mismo"