Did Carlos Alcaraz just mock Novak Djokovic on court?

Did Carlos Alcaraz just mock Novak Djokovic on court?

In recent years, Novak Djokovic has often followed a similar path to success: struggling with an injury, dropping a set, taking a medical timeout, and then returning to dominate his opponent.

On Tuesday night, during the Australian Open quarterfinals, tennis commentators suggested that these “tactics” frustrated Carlos Alcaraz to the point that the young Spaniard seemingly mocked the Serbian legend on court.

Djokovic defeated Alcaraz in a clash of generations, securing a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 victory to edge closer to his record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title. His next challenge is Alexander Zverev in the semifinals.

Injury Drama and Alcaraz’s Reaction

Despite suffering from a heavily bandaged left thigh after losing the first set, the 37-year-old Djokovic turned the match around, overpowering the 16-years-younger Alcaraz. However, after the third set, Alcaraz caught the attention of American commentators and former players James Blake and John McEnroe with an action that seemed to mimic Djokovic’s earlier struggle.

Walking back to his seat, Alcaraz grabbed his right leg and exaggerated a limp.

“You can see the frustration. He’s limping… then he gets back up and does it again,” Blake remarked.
“He’s clearly fine; he’s just acting as if he’s injured,” he added.

“That’s what I would do,” McEnroe responded with a chuckle. “If I were playing against him, I’d be doing the same thing Novak is right now.”

Mixed Reactions to Alcaraz’s Gesture

While some fans and commentators criticized Alcaraz, others dismissed the notion that the young Spaniard was mocking Djokovic. A Djokovic supporter on social media, known as PavvyG, tweeted:
“I see people saying Alcaraz mocked or disrespected Djokovic; I honestly don’t think that’s the case. Alcaraz was also struggling by the end of the third set, which is natural for someone who has dealt with cramping in the past. Both players showed mutual respect.”

Alcaraz Responds to Injury Speculation

When asked about Djokovic’s injury, Alcaraz replied:
“I’m not saying he was acting, but in the second set, he looked like he was in trouble, and then in the third and fourth sets, I didn’t see anything. I don’t think he would’ve retired even if he lost the second set. A player considering retirement wouldn’t play the third and fourth sets the way he did.”

Respect Amid the Drama

Despite the controversy surrounding Djokovic’s tactics and Alcaraz’s reaction, the match was another chapter in the ongoing story of two great athletes. Whether it was frustration or respect, both players displayed their passion on the court in one of the most talked-about matches of the tournament.