"Against Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2021 in the US Open, I got cramps, but not this magnitude. I learned from that match, from that experience, and I will do the same in this match."
During his on-court interview, 22-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic painted a positive picture for his dejected opponent.
"I told him at the net, he knows how young he is, he has plenty of time ahead of him. He’s going to win this tournament I’m sure, many, many times," the world No.3 said.
“He’s an unbelievable player, an incredible, incredible competitor, a really nice guy."
It was a match-up that caught the eye of the tennis world as soon as the draw dropped two weeks ago, and a clash that Alcaraz had insisted he wanted. 'To be the best you have to beat the best,' was the sentiment from both players; it was hyped as a generational battle.