What a show Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have put up for the tennis world at the Paris Olympics. From the first game of the first set, both the players fought for every single point such that almost every game in the first set went to deuce, and the 9th game saw 5 breaks before Djokovic took the set. Certainly, a match that was between the two top players in the world. Djokovic had to leverage all his experience while Alcaraz answered with all his athleticism and power. However, there is one glaring weakness that may hurt Spaniard’s chances for gold.

Weakness and Alcaraz certainly don’t go together if one has watched the World No.3 play. However, while we were enjoying his prodigal greatness, the former tennis player exposed a harsh truth about Alcaraz’s game that has become a repetitive thing this year, according to Paul McNamee. As the match proceeded to the tie-break before Djokovic came from back to take the set, McNamee shared his analysis that could massively benefit the Serbian Ace in his quest for the gold.

He tweeted,

“Massive hold by Djokovic… he’s hanging on… that’s all he can do, and wait for those forehand errors which have crept into the Alcaraz game this year.”

Djokovic successfully converted the first set, despite a tough challenge posed by the Spaniard. However, the Serbian Ace’s injury concerns cannot be ruled out already as the gray sleeve still covers his knee. But the weakness of Alcaraz could certainly give him the much-needed support. Moreover, Djokovic has already put some pressure on the Spaniard by thwarting every attempt of takeover in the first set, as he did during the Wimbledon. With pressure comes mistakes, and McNamee feels that Alcaraz’s game has developed some forehand errors, which would come to the fore as the game proceeds. And Djokovic just needs to wait and watch.

However, Alcaraz has displayed maturity beyond his years during some very crucial matches this season. Hence, one would expect the Spaniard to keep his calm and make his way through to gold at his debut. But if McNamee’s analysis is taken into account, Alcaraz may be headed uphill if these errors crop up against Djokovic. The Serbian ace is known to dig deep and take advantage of whatever chance is presented to him. Particularly when he is desperate to win the elusive gold! Every player has some weakness or other. What about Djokovic?

Alcaraz has successfully defended his Wimbledon title both in 2023, and 2024. What factors contributed to this massive feat back then? Could Alcaraz capitalize on the same factors today, as they are locked in an intense battle on the clay courts of Paris?

Could Wimbledon lesson come to Alcaraz’s rescue against Djokovic?

If Wimbledon 2024 is taken into account, there are a lot of factors that have contributed to Alcaraz’s dominant win. Firstly, the injury laced Djokovic, who came straight out from surgery, and with very little time to adjust on the grass court after his shirt stint on the Clay court. Moreover, age certainly seemed to play a role as Alcaraz covered the grass swiftly while Djokovic was careful. And when it comes to the play style, Federer’s words certainly come to mind, “It was just about, I needed to perform at my best to beat him. It was much more straightforward thinking.” 

Moreover, his forehand has certainly evolved. Federer too pointed out the issues with his forehand grip. “I felt like Novak had a very extreme forehand grip and his backhand for me wasn’t as fluid as it is nowadays.” However, his play style is said to be balanced. However, age might have affected his speed and agility to an extent.

When Wimbledon 2023 is taken into account, Alcaraz and Djokovic fought tooth and nail until the end, before the Spaniard ran away with the match in the end. However, the consecutive finals would have certainly given Alcaraz some points to draw when under pressure against the Serbian Ace. Could he leverage them today?