“I couldn’t think clearly” – Alcaraz determined to learn from loss against Djokovic

Carlos Alcaraz has shared that he’s determined to come back stronger after losing 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) to Novak Djokovic in the gold medal match of the men’s singles at the Paris Olympics on Sunday.

The pair played one of the highest quality matches of the year, taking just under three hours to complete two tiebreak sets.

When it mattered most, it was Djokovic who raised his level to claim both tiebreakers, as Alcaraz sprayed errors and couldn’t keep pace with the Serbian.

“Thinking about that moment, it was really close at the end of the match,” Alcaraz reflected. 

“I couldn’t think things clearly.”

Alcaraz explains emotions

Alcaraz gave a teary interview on-court after falling one win short of a maiden Olympics gold medal. Afterwards, he explained what he was feeling in that moment.

“I felt that I let all the Spanish people down a little bit, in some way,” he explained.

“You know, I know that most Spanish people were wanting my gold medal, and myself as well. I worked for it, I went for it, and it couldn’t happen.

“That’s why I got emotional at the end. I couldn’t make all the Spanish people proud.

“Right now, thinking more relaxed, I made them proud, I made them believe in a certain way, and I’m proud about the way I represented my flag.”

Spaniard determined to come back stronger

One of the characteristics that has made the Big Three so successful over the years is their constant dedication to learning and improving. On Sunday in Paris, that trait was on display in Alcaraz as well.

“I’m going to learn from these situations,” the 21-year-old declared. “The close match that I’m playing, at the end I lost it. All the tournaments that I’m playing, the matches, the situations, I’m going to learn from them.

“I remember last year, standing in this shed, 2023, I said that I’m going to learn from the moment that I lost against Novak. And I did after that.

“I’m going to say the same. I’m going to learn to be a better player, I’m not going to make the same mistakes as I did today. 

“I got a lot of experience. After that, I’m going to be a better player, I’m going to be more mature off the court as well. Everything I’m believing, I’m going to be better in it.”

With a little time to compose himself after the initial sting of the loss, Alcaraz did confess that his time in Paris was positive.

“Obviously this week, it has been really special for me,” the Spaniard shared.

“I’m going to take it for the rest of my life, the rest of my career for sure. Playing with Rafa, having those feelings, being the same side of the net with Rafa, getting my first Olympic medal, hopefully not the last one.

“It has been two great weeks.”

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