Unexpected coup. The party of the year. The early final of Roland Garros had the least expected ending. Novak Djokovic qualified for the semifinals by defeating Carlos Alcaraz by 6-3, 5-7, 6-1 and 6-1. No one can know what would have happened if the injury to the Murcian tennis player had not interrupted a spectacular and exciting match up to that moment. Djokovic will be in the final again this Sunday. The seventh and, for now, two titles 2016 and 2021.
“I’m sorry for Carlos. He’s an incredible player. The match had been tough in the first two sets, then everything changed. I’m sure he’ll come back and win this tournament,” said the Serbian tennis player on court. He knows that he still has one last step left. “This isn’t over. There’s another game to go but I’m happy to play another final again. I hope to give my best this Sunday and win the title.”
“The game broke with 6-3, 5-7 and 1-1 on the scoreboard Alcaraz suffered an injury to his left leg after a race. He remained standing, riveted, on the track, without moving and requested immediate medical attention. His decision cost him to lose the game because according to the regulations you cannot request attention until you change fields. The public booed the chair umpire. alcaraz he limped off to his chair.
Desperation towards Ferrero
He did not know whether to withdraw. “I know, Johnny. But it’s too early to retire. I’m going to make one last try. It’s here, here, here and here.”, he pointed to the upper part of his calf and then his leg. “It’s incredible, it can’t be, it can’t be!”, he told Juan Carlos Ferrero and the whole team. He decided to continue, but nothing was the same anymore. Djokovic he scored the set by breaking the Murcian tennis player’s serve three times. Alcaraz could not answer.
The current number 1 went to the locker room to be treated by the physio. Alcaraz returned to the track but nothing was the same anymore. The battle fought in the first two sets had nothing to do with it. The Murcian tennis player returned some balls but was unable to run after them, as he had done when his body was at maximum speed and began to threaten victory.
Djokovic tried to escape, to continue playing, but the public booed him every time he made Alcaraz run. But later he also encouraged the sebian when he won points from him. Tennis had disappeared from the court. The show was broken and quite a few fans were leaving their seats.
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alcaraz He held on the track without much explanation. Djokovic did not miss his chance. He did not say a single game, although his celebrations for some point that he won, were not in accordance with the moment or the situation. He cost him the booing of the spectators who were still in Phillippe Chatrier and who cheered on Alcaraz, every time he got a point and when he won a game, the only one since his injury.
Last step
Djokovic earned the opportunity to win his third Roland Garros and the long-awaited 23rd Grand Slam, to break the record of 22 he shares with Rafael Nadal, absent due to injury. He has one last step left, but he overcame the toughest opponent that could stop him. On Sunday, the winner of the other semifinal that faced Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud.