Novak Djokovic has vowed to bounce back after being outplayed by Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s singles final at Wimbledon.
Less than two months after knee surgery Djokovic insists he will contend for a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics Games and a record-extending 25th grand slam title at the US Open.
“In the face of adversity, normally I rise and I learn and get stronger,” Djokovic said after his 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4) loss to Alcaraz.
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Novak Djokovic during the Wimbledon men’s singles final against Carlos Alcaraz. Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
“That’s what I’m going to do.”
Djokovic also was beaten by Alcaraz in last year’s Wimbledon final.
The 37-year-old from Serbia is 23-7 without a title this season; Sunday was his first appearance in a final in 2024.
In grand slam play this year, Djokovic was eliminated by current world No.1 Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semi finals in January.
He then reached the quarter finals at Roland-Garros but was forced to pull out before his match after tearing the meniscus in his right knee.
He had an operation on June 5 and was not sure if he would be able to enter Wimbledon at all until a few days before the draw.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts after losing a point against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the men’s singles final at Wimbledon. AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy
“My preparation for Wimbledon wasn’t as I would have it normally. … There was hindrance obviously because of the injury,” Djokovic said post-match.
“That probably had an effect, particularly in the opening rounds. But as the tournament progressed, I felt better and better. I reached the finals. [In] some matches I played some really good tennis. Some matches I kind of battled my way through. But today, I saw that I was just half a step behind him, in every sense.”
With a grey sleeve covering his right knee, Djokovic won just 27 of 53 points when he went to the net and finished with 26 winners to Alcaraz’s 42.
Djokovic was broken five times and only won one of the 21-year-old Alcaraz’s service games.
“Being able to reach the finals of Wimbledon … [is] a great confidence boost. But I also feel like in a matchup today against the best player right now in the world, for sure — I mean, other than Jannik, and both of them are the best this year by far — I feel like I’m not at that level,” Djokovic said.
“To really have a chance to, I guess, beat these guys in grand slam latter stages or [at the] Olympics, I’m going to have to play much better than I did today and feel much better than I did today.”
Still, like most people, Alcaraz was impressed that Djokovic managed to make it to the final at Wimbledon.
“What he has done this tournament — with surgery a few weeks before the tournament [began] is amazing. It is unbelievable.”
Carlos Alcaraz speaks with Novak Djokovic after the men’s singles final at Wimbledon. John Walton/PA via AP
The next goal for Djokovic is Paris 2024; the tennis competition starts at Roland Garros on July 27.
Olympic gold is pretty much the only accolade missing from a resume that includes 10 titles at the Australian Open, seven at Wimbledon, four at the US Open — where his title defence begins on August 26 — and three at Roland-Garros, along with a total of 98 tour-level titles and more weeks spent at No.1 in the rankings than any other player.
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In preparation, Djokovic will analyse where there’s room for improvement. He will train and practice to try to be at his best.
What he will not do is harbour regrets about what he could have done differently against Alcaraz during this particular match in England.
“Of course, I can always be self-critical, which I am. I can always find the flaws, which I can already see. Things that I maybe should have executed better,” Djokovic said.
“I don’t think that would change too much [over] the course of the match, to be honest.”