‘A Big Surprise’: Carlos Alcaraz Reacts to Novak Djokovic’s Shock US Open Exit
NEW YORK – Defending US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz has offered a candid assessment of the tournament’s landscape following the stunning first-round elimination of tennis icon Novak Djokovic.
The tennis world was sent into a tailspin earlier this week when the Serbian legend was defeated in a grueling five-set match by Mariano Navone. The upset marked an uncharacteristic and early exit for the multi-time Grand Slam champion, effectively clearing a significant hurdle from the bottom half of the bracket.
A “Big Surprise” for the Defending Champ
Alcaraz, who successfully navigated his own opening match against Roman Safiullin with a clinical straight-sets victory, admitted that he was watching the conclusion of the Djokovic match with interest.
“I saw the fifth set. Obviously, it was the first time that Novak lost in the first round here in this tournament, so it’s a big surprise,” Alcaraz said during his post-match press conference. “Someone like Novak going out in the first round—it’s surprising for everyone.”
Despite the shockwave the result sent through the locker room, the 23-year-old Spaniard maintained that his personal game plan remains unchanged. While Djokovic had been positioned as a potential semifinal opponent, Alcaraz noted that he prefers to maintain a narrow focus.
“Every Grand Slam is really difficult to get through every round. You have to earn the win from the first ball until the last one,” Alcaraz explained. “He was in my part of the draw, but it was in the semis. For me, the semis are too far away, so I just try to go round by round.”
A Triumphant Return to the Court
Beyond the news of his rivals, Alcaraz’s own victory was a significant milestone. The match marked his return to singles competition after a grueling 139-day hiatus forced by a persistent right-wrist injury. The Spaniard admitted that the time away from the court had brought a heightened sense of anxiety ahead of his return to the Flushing Meadows hard courts.
“It was a difficult day for me, but at the same time, a really beautiful one,” Alcaraz admitted. “I was really nervous, thinking, ‘Am I going to make it? Am I going to compete again?’ I had more nerves than usual, but I’m just happy.”
His performance against Safiullin provided a convincing answer to his critics; Alcaraz hammered 28 winners and, most importantly, reported no pain in his wrist during the match. This victory brings his impressive season record to 23-3 as he aims to secure another title in New York.
Alcaraz is set to face Portugal’s Jaime Faria in the next round, where he will look to continue his momentum as he navigates a tournament field that has suddenly become much more unpredictable.
