Novak Djokovic has revealed that 2023 Wimbledon final loss to Carlos Alcaraz was good because it motivated him during rest of his 2023 campaign.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion feels there is always a reason for all his major final losses and has highlighted the fact that he has won everything offered on the tour since the five-set final loss at the All England Club.
The heartbreaking defeat ended Serbian’s 34-match win streak and Wimbledon and shattered his hopes of a Calendar Slam. It was his first loss at the Center Court since 2013 and also marked the first defeat in a completed match at the SW19 since 2016.
Barred from completing the Calendar Slam yet again, this was the only match Djokovic lost in a major as the World No. 1 once again sealed three of the four majors by winning Australian, French and US Open crowns.
Getting over the painful Wimbledon loss, Djokovic won all four tournaments he entered and suffered just one round-robin loss against Jannik Sinner the last week’s ATP Finals in Turin.
Talking to Marca, Djokovic was asked about the fact that the 20-year-old was the only player to edge him at the majors this year.
“It would be a question for Carlos, but I have no pangs of conscience. I try to look ahead and in all the great finals that I have lost there is always a reason. I try to learn from it and the experience of losing a Grand Slam final motivates me even more,” said the 36-year-old.
“I lost at Wimbledon and since then I have won everything except for the match with Sinner in the group stage in Turin. If I analyse the year, I could say that it was good to lose to Carlos because it motivated me for the rest of the season.”
It was also put to Djokovic that World No. 2’s coach (Juan Carlos Ferrero) suggested his charge could learn from Serb’s dedication and professionalism.
“It’s nice that he says that about me. I have a lot of respect for Ferrero, starting from the fact that he was number one. I was always impressed by how professional he was and the seriousness with which he dedicated himself to tennis,” replied Djokovic.
“It is obvious that he has helped Alcaraz a lot not only to achieve success but also to maintain humility and a champion’s mentality. Thanks to Juan Carlos and his family’s upbringing, he is more mature than his age suggests.
“He is only 20 years old, but on the track he behaves like someone who has a lot of experience and maturity.”