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.
And tennis fans were in awe...
SHOT OF THE YEAR!! 💥
My favorite thing about this though is the joy that BOTH players express (in different ways). A reminder that sports, at its core, is a game of which the primary derivation is enjoyment. https://t.co/Djmx2BoshJ
— Kenny Legan (@KennyLegan) June 9, 2023
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
If Carlos Alcaraz wins this match, remember this shot
If Carlos Alcaraz loses this match, remember this shot https://t.co/6bXOfGt0pJ
— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) June 9, 2023
what a stunning shot from Alcatraz https://t.co/uO6Uk3G0BT
— MΛXMΛΠ (@maxmasaxman) June 9, 2023
I’ve watched Nadal, Federer and Djokovic for 20 years, and this is one of the craziest shots I’ve ever seen! Unreal! https://t.co/gpvSorIbsr
— Phillip Stover (@PhillipStover) June 9, 2023
can you get a tennis rally tattooed on your body https://t.co/bypmm5gqiU
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) June 9, 2023
Alcaraz is not human. One of the craziest shots you’ll ever see https://t.co/sezPzU2rTT
— J (@jceezz) June 9, 2023
Damn! Unreal quality tennis happening this morning. https://t.co/3iT2UwwbuR
— David Lippman (@david_lippman) June 9, 2023
Quite literally the filthiest shot I’ve ever seen. Carlos is ridiculous 😂 https://t.co/UzlEM4n8nJ
— Joey Ellis (@Jellis1016) June 9, 2023
Legit the best shot I’ve ever seen https://t.co/WWO522wHMh
— Jack Young (@JackSYoung2) June 9, 2023
I think my fav thing about this ridiculous shot is that Alcaraz seems to be running with a desperation tweener in mind, realises he's so fast he's got there in time to hit it properly, and dances round the ball at the last second https://t.co/BNqlcQ9zRL
— Alex Macpherson (@alex_macpherson) June 9, 2023
The audacity to pull off this shot against Djokovic 🤯 Great to see Novak applaud it. The standard of tennis in this match so far has been ridiculous. #FrenchOpen2023 https://t.co/5ou4XeDhkc
— Dan Gibbs (@Gibbsyy) June 9, 2023
One of the most insane shots I've ever seen. Alcaraz winning the highlight reel but Djokovic winning the bread and butter and that's why he's winning the match. https://t.co/ioqFMwL2ZO
— Eleanor Crooks (@EleanorcrooksPA) June 9, 2023
Yes.. that was some awesome shot.
And it got applauded as expected from the greatest.#RolandGarros2023 #RolandGarros #Djokovic #NoleFam #NovakDjokovic https://t.co/sy5GT3uKMi— Meghana (@meghs1710) June 9, 2023
Shot of the year? Top 5 all-time? Hyperbole? https://t.co/LFCUgsSMtH
— Steve Weissman (@Steve_Weissman) June 9, 2023
The best point of the tournament.
The best point of the year.
One of the best points in tennis history.Absolutely INSANE! #RolandGarros
PS: wind is making the match a bit disappointing overall though. Lots of unforced errors from both players. Hopefully, it will improve. https://t.co/UtYr8cFA1R
— MSB (@msbreviews) June 9, 2023
