“I hope we get to play in US Open” – Djokovic, on why his budding rivalry with Alcaraz is good for tennis

After spending four hours and 42 painful minutes across the net from Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s Wimbledon final (won by Alcaraz 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4), Novak Djokovic says he is eager to take another shot at the high-flying world No 1 at this year’s US Open.

“I hope we get to play in US Open. Why not?” he told reporters. “I think it’s good for the sport, No 1 and No 2 in the world facing each other in almost a five-hours, five-set thriller. Couldn’t be better for our sport in general, so why not?”

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Djokovic, who fell to 1-2 lifetime with Alcaraz as he fell just short in his bid to win a record-tying 24th major singles title, had nothing but praise for the 20-year-old phenom.

“Credit to Carlos,” is how he started his post-match press conference. “Amazing poise in the important moments. For someone of his age to handle the nerves like this, be playing attacking tennis, and to close out the match the way he did… I thought I returned very well that last game, but he was just coming up with some amazing, amazing shots.

Djokovic continued, saying that Alcaraz has “Amazing adapting capabilities that I think are a key for longevity and for successful career on all surfaces.”

Djokovic isn’t sure how long he can remain at the top of the sport, but he is confident that Alcaraz, who now owns two major titles and is just two months past his teenage years, will be around for a very long time.

“He’s going to be on the tour for quite some time; I don’t know how long I’ll be around,” he said.

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