What Novak Djokovic did at last year’s Wimbledon which Carlos Alcaraz said was ‘out of this world’
Carlos Alcaraz, the 22-year-old Spanish tennis prodigy, labeled Novak Djokovic’s performance at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships as “out of this world” due to the Serb’s remarkable journey to the final, achieved just five weeks after undergoing knee surgery for a torn medial meniscus on June 5, 2024, per The Tennis Gazette. Djokovic, then 37, defied medical expectations and widespread skepticism about his participation, showcasing resilience that left the tennis world in awe. Alcaraz, who ultimately defeated Djokovic 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(4) on July 14, 2024, to defend his Wimbledon title, expressed profound admiration for his rival’s recovery during his post-match press conference, stating, “For him to put himself in a chance to play the tournament and make the final, it’s something out of this world for me,” per The Tennis Gazette.
Djokovic’s path to the final was a testament to his legendary grit. After withdrawing from the French Open 2024 quarter-finals due to the knee injury sustained against Francisco Cerundolo, he underwent surgery in Paris, raising doubts about his grass-court season, per The Guardian. Yet, Djokovic returned to SW19, navigating a favorable draw without facing a top-10 opponent until the final. He dispatched players like Vit Kopriva, Jacob Fearnley, and Alexei Popyrin in early rounds, then dominated Holger Rune 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in the fourth round and Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-4 in the semi-finals, per ATP Tour. His movement, though not at its peak, improved with each match, and he avoided dropping a set until the final, per ESPN.
Alcaraz, speaking to reporters, called Djokovic’s recovery “unbelievable,” highlighting the physical and mental fortitude required to compete at such a level post-surgery, per Australian Open. “He’s like Superman to me… To come back like that and play at this level, it’s unreal,” Alcaraz said, per The Tennis Gazette. The Spaniard’s respect was evident despite his commanding performance in the final, where he overwhelmed Djokovic with relentless aggression, firing 39 winners and breaking serve five times in two hours and 27 minutes, per WTA Tennis. Djokovic, gracious in defeat, acknowledged Alcaraz’s superiority, stating, “He was the better player today… I tried my best,” per BBC.
The 2024 final marked Alcaraz’s third straight win over Djokovic in major finals, following Wimbledon 2023 and the 2022 Madrid Open, solidifying his edge in their rivalry, per Sportskeeda. Fans on X, like @TennisTalker, marveled at Djokovic’s “superhuman” effort, while @ATPUpdates praised Alcaraz’s “clinical” display, per. Djokovic’s feat, however, remains a defining moment of 2024, underscoring why Alcaraz still views him as a benchmark. As both players prepare for Wimbledon 2025, with Alcaraz fresh off his French Open title and Djokovic chasing a record-extending 25th Slam, their mutual respect continues to elevate tennis, per The New York Times.
