Tennis-Alcaraz enjoys “intense” rivalry with Djokovic | WTAQ News Talk | 97.5 FM · 1360 AM

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Carlos Alcaraz said he has a good friendship with Novak Djokovic off the court, but the Spaniard is also enjoying an intense rivalry with the great Serb as the two move toward a possible U.S. Open final.

The Spaniard’s improvisational style is in stark contrast to Djokovic’s cold-blooded efficiency and despite the 16-year age difference between the two, Alcaraz says they get the best out of each other’s games.

“Every time we step on the court, we play tennis at a really high level,” Alcaraz told reporters after his first-round victory at the US Open on Tuesday.

“Every time we played against each other, it was a really good and intense game.”

At the beginning of the year, the changing of the guard seemed complete when 21-year-old Alcaraz crushed 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic in the Wimbledon final in July, defending his title and winning his fourth major title.

But in tennis, fate can change quickly.

Alcaraz was almost inconsolable after his loss to Djokovic in the Olympic final at Roland Garros earlier this month, saying he felt he had let Spain down.

Djokovic described winning the Olympic gold medal as his “greatest sporting success”.

“Off the pitch, we have a really good friendship,” said Alcaraz. “We talk a lot in the locker room when we see each other.”

“As soon as we step on the court, there are no friends here on tour, but after that, after the court, I have a really good relationship with a lot of players, and one of them is Novak.”

With Djokovic seeded second and Alcaraz third, the two could be on a collision course and meet again in the final in the frenetic atmosphere of New York.

“New York, it’s crazy,” Alcaraz said.

“I love playing here. The crowd gives you an energy that you probably don’t feel at other places.”

(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Rutherford)