Carlos Alcaraz is ready with his jam-packed tennis schedule to rule the upcoming months. However, after facing a semi-final defeat at the US Open, things have changed a little for the 20-year-old tennis star. While he strives to give his all in every tournament in which he competes, attendance at his matches has suddenly dropped.
Although the second-ranked tennis player in the world has a sizable fan following, the absence of a significant crowd during his most recent run at the Beijing Open caught the eye of fans, not necessarily his. Even though there was a lot of discussion going on regarding the situation, Novak Djokovic fans stepped in to settle the debate regarding the Spaniard’s fan following in different countries.
Fans react after an almost empty stadium greets Carlos Alcaraz in Beijing
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The 2023 Wimbledon champion has made it to the semi-final round of the tournament where he will face Jannik Sinner. But during the quarterfinal, while both the tennis players were giving their best to win the match, there was close to no one in attendance to enjoy or witness the battle. Almost the entire stadium was empty for the match, which apparently grabbed a lot of attention from the tennis world.
A lot of Djokovic fans came forward to share their view on the empty stadium. A fan wrote, “Almost empty stadium in Alcaraz’s match against Musetti in Beijing. Shows he doesn’t have that much pull amongst the non Anglo/Spanish speaking people outside of Europe/America.”
Almost empty stadium in Alcaraz’s match against Musetti in Beijing. Shows he doesn’t have that much pull amongst the non Anglo/Spanish speaking people outside of Europe/America 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/KNTReENbPd
— Bishal (@bishalc004) October 1, 2023
Fans pointed out how Alcaraz doesn’t have a fan base in China like he has a fan following in another country, like America. A fan wrote, “In a country with over a BILLION ppl, and Carlitos can’t get a full stadium there. Yikes.”
In a country with over a BILLION ppl, and Carlitos can’t get a full stadium there. Yikes.
— Damian Andrews-Wilson (@thedla36) October 2, 2023
While another fan highlighted how he might not be an interesting tennis player in their country. “Yeah just shows he’s not an exciting draw for the Chinese people.”
Yeah just shows he’s not an exciting draw for the Chinese people
— Bishal (@bishalc004) October 1, 2023
In between this debate, a fan raised fingers at the 2022 US Open Champion for not being a real star. “Wow that is just not a showcase for the future of tennis!! We need some real stars not these fake ones.”
Wow that is just not a showcase for the future of tennis!! We need some real stars not these fake ones
— sj (@sjgameland) October 2, 2023
Apart from this, a true Djokovic fan talked about the 24-time Grand Slam ‘fan base in China. The fan added, “If is (it) was Djokovic out there. The chinese people love him everytime he went there.”
If is was Djokovic out there.The chinese people love him everytime he went there.
— Laura Sebastian (@Laurasebas21) October 2, 2023
On the other hand, a fan stated a totally different opinion and wrote, “Maybe because chinese people don’t give a sh*t about tennis like Europeans do.”
Maybe because chinese people don’t give a shit about tennis like Europeans do
— 6-0inthefirst (@G0ATdal22) October 1, 2023
But do you know there was also a time when the 36-year-old Serbian tennis star also played in an empty stadium?
While the world number 2 didn’t say anything about the empty crowd, his Wimbledon final opponent took a different route and had an aggressive celebration after his quarter-final victory at the 2021 French Open.
When Novak Djokovic played in an empty stadium
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Back in 2021, when the world number one defeated Matteo Berrettini in the quarter-final clash, they played in an empty arena. Although there was no one in the stadium watching, he still celebrated his first-set victory against his Italian opponent. Even the official Twitter account of the French Open posted a video of the celebration, in which Djokovic was seen roaring like a lion.
Fired 🆙
Djokovic puts the 🔨 down to take the first set 6-3.#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/5YCRwBSt1x
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2021
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He took the first set 6-3 and didn’t let the empty stadium affect his game plan for the day. Along with that, he continued the momentum and even won the second set as well. Now that you know that even the Serb has once played in an entry arena, what is your take on Alcaraz’s recent quarter-final clash? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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