Novak Djokovic hailed his rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz and says he is not focused on suggestions of a passing of the torch in men’s tennis after winning the US Open.
Alcaraz was eliminated in the last four in New York this year, with Daniil Medvedev beating him to reach the final, but the Russian lost in straight sets to the Serbian.
Flushing Meadows champion Djokovic, 36, is set to take the world No.1 spot from Alcaraz following his loss to the 20-year-old in this year’s Wimbledon final – after some commented that the result in July had marked a changing of the guard.
Djokovic, though, speaking after he lifted his 24th Grand Slam title with victory over Medvedev, said: ‘People like to talk.
‘I focus on what I need to do to be in the optimal state. Alcaraz is a refreshment for tennis, it’s great that we have a rivalry.’
Djokovic, who won three of the Grand Slam singles titles this year and reached all four finals, added: ‘I did my best in the last 48 hours for the importance of the match to not get to my head. I learned my lesson, kept things simple.
‘Second set was the key, I don’t think I’ve played a longer set in my life. He probably deserved that set more, but I managed to turn things around in the tie-break.
‘I was very relieved to win the second set, Medvedev is one of the best in making you hit the extra ball. I don’t recall being so tired after rallies as in second set.
‘There is always something I am trying to add and implement things that work for you. One of the biggest lessons is that you need to reinvent yourself constantly.
‘I felt relief after match point. Out of respect, I wanted to come to the net quick. Then I wanted to hug my daughter, she was in the first row, she smiled at me every time I need it – I got that innocent, child energy.’
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