Alcaraz describes Djokovic’s elimination as a “big surprise”

The Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz This Monday he described the unexpected elimination of the Serbian as a “big surprise” Novak Djokovic in the first round of the US Open.

After surpassing his own debut in Flushing Meadows, the Murcian was asked at a press conference about the premature goodbye of the Serbian, winner of 24 Grand Slams, who on Sunday left the tournament in ‘shock’ by losing in five sets (7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2 and 6-1) against the Argentine Mariano Navone.

“I watched the fifth set and obviously it was the first time Novak lost in the first round here in this tournament, so it’s a big surprise, to be honest,” Alcaraz acknowledged.

Before his match with Navone, number 49 in the world rankings, Djokovic had an immaculate record of 19-0 in his debuts at the United States Open, a streak that rose to 37-0 taking into account the rest of the ‘greats’.

“For someone like Novak to fall in the first round is surprising, but this is a Grand Slam and it is really difficult to overcome each round,” reflected the Spaniard, who last year was crowned the winner of the New York tournament.

“All the players are very tough and you have to earn the victory from the first ball to the last,” he added.

Djokovic appeared in the same half of the draw as the Spaniard, which outlined a hypothetical crossover between the two in the semifinals.

“I was in my part of the draw, yes, but in the semifinals, and for me the semifinals are very far away, so I just try to focus on my round,” said the defending champion.

Alcaraz will face the Portuguese Jaime Faria (n.72) on Wednesday, September 2, in a second round match.