Novak Djokovic feels he is ‘even stevens’ with the tennis gods after losing a five-set thriller in the Wimbledon final to Carlos Alcaraz on Centre Court.
Djokovic likened Alcaraz’s sensational 1-6 7-6 6-1 3-6 6-4 victory over him to his five-set triumph over Roger Federer in the 2019 final four years ago.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion was looking to equal Federer for the most Wimbledon men’s singles titles in history but could not make it eight on Sunday.
Instead, Djokovic lost his first match on Centre Court for over a decade as world No.1 Alcaraz secured the second major trophy of his career.
Speaking in his on-court interview, Djokovic said: ‘You never like to lose matches like these but I guess when all the emotions are settled I’ll have to be very grateful.
‘I won many tight and close matches in the past here, to name a few. 2019 against Roger. Maybe I should have lost a few finals that I won so maybe this is even stevens.’
The Serbian lauded Alcaraz for his famous victory as the young Spaniard became the first man outside of the ‘big four’ of Djokovic, Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray to lift the Wimbledon title since 2002.
‘I have to start with praises to Carlos and his team,’ Djokovic added. ‘What a quality at the end of the match when you had to serve it out.
‘You came up with some big plays in the big situations and you absolutely deserve it. Amazing.
‘I thought I would have trouble with you only on clay and hard courts, not on grass, but now it’s a different story from this year obviously!
‘Congrats, amazing way to adapt to the surface. You played maybe one or twice. Amazing, what you did at Queen’s Club… and congratulations to everybody in your team.
‘[It is a] tough one to swallow when you are so close. These are the moments that we work for every day to play on the biggest stages and biggest courts and most important tournaments in the world.
‘I’ve been blessed with so many incredible matches throughout my career. I’m really grateful. I lost to a better player and I have to move on stronger.’
MORE : Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz vows to avoid Roger Federer mistake
MORE : Rafael Nadal congratulates Carlos Alcaraz after he beats Novak Djokovic in epic Wimbledon final
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