Sometimes, when your opponent makes a jaw-dropping play during competition, all you can do is watch and applaud.
And that’s exactly what Novak Djokovic did Friday during his 2023 French Open semifinals match against Carlos Alcaraz, the 20-year-old player from Spain who’s currently ranked No. 1 in the world.
Early in the match after No. 3 Djokovic — who’s currently in a two-way tie with Rafael Nadal for most men’s Grand Slam wins at 22 — won the first set, the second set was tied, But Alcaraz was up in the third game, and then he pulled off some magic.
As the pair were going back and forth, Alcaraz was forced up to the net, leaving 36-year-old Djokovic with a wide-open court for a seemingly easy point. But Alcaraz showed off some incredible speed, running from the net to the baseline before returning for a jaw-dropping point.
In Novak voice: NOT TOO BAD 🤯#RolandGarros | @carlosalcaraz pic.twitter.com/pHkwxrff4u
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2023
Seriously, how did he do this?! How did he get back fast enough? The agility and body control! How did he manage to even hit the ball — and at that angle?!
Just look at where the ball is on the return, where Alcaraz is and the direction they’re both heading. Winning this point is outrageous.
But afterward, Alcaraz’s smile and Djokovic’s raised hands and applause say it all.
UPDATE: Though Alcaraz won the second set, he began to cramp up and struggle significantly. Djokovic ultimately won (6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1) and advanced to Sunday’s final.