Djokovic wants more privacy in practice, meanwhile, Alcaraz says it is “probably” true that his father filmed Djokovic during practice

Novak Djokovic told Serbian reporters that his approach to practice is the same as in matches in terms of focus

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic (Action Plus/Panoramic)

July 12, 2023

Aorangi Park is a part of Wimbledon where the players practise and the fans are not allowed.

Still, it’s not a place of complete privacy for players – journalists and fellow players still get to see what everybody is doing.

Ahead of his fourth-round match with Hubert Hurkacz, Novak Djokovic was warming up next to Carlos Alcaraz. Several times, members of the Spaniard’s team would take a look at Djokovic’s preparation, something very common at Aorangi.

Following his win over Hurkacz, Djokovic was asked if he felt that he had eyes on him during practice sessions.

“Well, the circumstances are such that we don’t have much privacy, although sometimes I would love more privacy, because it would allow me to maybe try out certain things and to communicate clearly with my team,” Djokovic told Serbian reporters before adding: “It is a fact that you’re not fully relaxed in practice. You are aware that your rivals are around, that everybody is looking over their shoulders to see what’s going on, what are you working on.

UPDATE: Alcaraz asked if his father was filming Djokovic’s practice

After his victory on Wednesday at Wimbledon, in a twist to the story, Carlos Alcaraz was asked by a reporter if his father has been taking videos of Djokovic during practice.

Here’s the transcript of their exchange:

Q. It’s been alleged in the Serbian press that a member of your team, particularly your father, was filming Novak Djokovic’s training session over the weekend. Was that the case?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Sorry?

Q. Your father, it has been alleged, or a member of your team, was filming on a camera Novak Djokovic’s training session at Aorangi. I’m asking, was that the case? Is that allegation true? Is there any foundation to that?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Probably it is true. My father is a huge fan of tennis. He doesn’t only watch my matches. I think he get into the club at 11 a.m., get out at 10 p.m., watching matches, watching practice from everyone.

Be able to watch Djokovic in real life, yeah, probably it is true he’s film the sessions.

Q. Does that give you a competitive advantage at this stage of the tournament because he’s a rival?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I don’t think so. I mean, I have a lot of videos from Djokovic on every platform. I think it’s not an advantage for me.

Whether Alcaraz seeks a competitive advantage or his father is simply a fan, it’s easy to see why Djokovic wouldn’t want to be filmed.

Djokovic: I have the same intensity in practice

Djokovic reiterates that he remains extremely focused during practice and that his approach is the same as in matches.

“Same intensity, yes. Sometimes maybe the atmosphere is a bit more relaxed if I’m feeling good and hitting the ball well, but other times it’s more tense if I am not. The point is that you don’t want to give the impression to your rivals if you’re not doing well and that you’re nervous. We are all very focused.”

Following his win over Rublev in the quarter-finals, the seven-time Wimbledon champion is not on the schedule for practices on Wednesday. That suggests he will have a day of full rest, a possibility at which he hinted on Tuesday.