The men’s singles semifinal match at the French Open between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz delivered a shot for the ages Friday, and sports fans everywhere loved it.
Midway through the second set, Alcaraz pulled off a highlight-reel shot that left Djokovic with no choice but to tip his cap to the 20-year-old sensation.
During a very good rally, Alcaraz sprinted to chase down the ball and delivered a perfect shot down the line with his back turned to Djokovic. It’s a shot you’d have to see to believe and produced quite the applause from the crowd at Roland Garros.
Check this out:
In Novak voice: NOT TOO BAD 🤯#RolandGarros | @carlosalcaraz pic.twitter.com/pHkwxrff4u
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2023
Fans on social media, predictably, loved it:
Sporting events with massive expectations often do not get close to living up to them.
— Will Fowler (@WillFowler5) June 9, 2023
This is not one of those times. https://t.co/bVYqtizD13
I've watched this four times through now and I still am not quite sure how he pulled this shot off, lol https://t.co/O1nw2WYAIr
— Ella Brockway (@ellabrockway) June 9, 2023
Even the GOAT 🐐 knows that was an OUTRAGEOUS shot 👏👏 #FrenchOpen https://t.co/rBnLpVsBaF
— Qasim Khan (@Qasimkhaan2) June 9, 2023
Shot of the year? Top 5 all-time? Hyperbole? https://t.co/LFCUgsSMtH
— Steve Weissman (@Steve_Weissman) June 9, 2023
I broke my wrist just THINKING about attempting this shot. Just ludicrous.https://t.co/Z6zCk333ov
— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) June 9, 2023
Knowing these two stars, don’t be surprised if that’s not the only viral moment from this match. Topping that magical shot won’t be easy, though.
