“Stress of facing Djokovic caused the cramp” says Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz admitted that the stress of playing the 22-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic was the cause for the sustained injury midway through their crunch 1/2 final match.

Alcaraz had just found his rhythm, coming off a brilliant second-set win, when he started to feel the cramp. Djokovic took full advantage of the circumstances and went on to comfortably clinch the match 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1.

“It is not easy to play against Novak, he’s a legend of our sport,” Alcaraz said.

“It has been really tough for me. I have never felt tension like I did in that match.”

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Alcaraz has faced Djokovic for only the second in his career and for the first in one of the major tournaments.

“If someone says he goes onto the court with no nerves playing against Novak, he lies,” he added.

“The tension of the match was why the cramping happened. I started the match really nervous.”