The Roland-Garros semi-final between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz was becoming the match of the year. Until the Spaniard gets injured and drags his leg. The Serb defeated his young rival in four sets 6-3, 5-7, 6-1 and 6-1.

The final before the final, it was said, of the semi-final match between the two most dominant players in the world.

Until the start of the third inning, the prophecy came true and expectations were fulfilled. Both attackers were giving the best tennis has to offer. Truly, this meeting was a clash between two giants.

There was everything. Heavy and precise strikes, long exchanges, delicacy at the net and above all, mutual respect between two greats exchanging courtesies.

Djokovic had won the first round and Alcaraz the second. As the encounter became a best of three, an unfortunate injury to Alcaraz’s right leg cast a shadow over the awe-inspiring spectacle on a sunny evening in Paris.

Alcaraz even gave up a point to his opponent to be able to receive immediate treatment to try to relieve himself. But nothing to do.

Reduced and restricted for the rest of the match, Alcaraz remained standing, only waiting for Djokovic to win the six games necessary to fold the meeting.

At his 70^e participation in a major tournament, Djokovic reaches the final for the 34^e time. His seventh at the Porte d’Auteuil.

Disappointment

The most regrettable in this game is not what happened, but rather what did not happen.

Both players have experienced health issues in recent weeks. Alcaraz in the leg. Djokovic on the arm. The two arrived on the Philippe-Chatrier court somewhat crippled.

Despite everything, their level and performance suggested redemption on both sides.

There was so much at stake. On the one hand, Djokovic was on a mission. He wanted to reach the final to try to remove his 23^e title in a major tournament to thus overtake Nadal on his land. On the other hand, Alcaraz, the worthy heir of the toreador, was fighting to win a first title at Roland-Garros, where he will certainly win in the future.

The start of the match lived up to the apprehensions. It was the most anticipated match of the fortnight. It was possibly the match of the year on the ATP Tour.

This is why the biggest disappointment at the end of this duel is not having had the right to what we expected. At least over five rounds, because the start of the match was of exceptional quality. Just like the abilities of the two gladiators engaged in a merciless duel in the center of an arena filled with spectators swooning in front of a painting of such magnitude.

Since the beginning of the fortnight, Alcaraz has crushed and overwhelmed each of its opponents. In particular thanks to a blow, his now signature, the forehand cut, amortized. On clay, this well-executed shot becomes the equivalent of a lethal dose.

However, Djokovic quickly thwarted his plans. First, by going up to the net regularly, thus reducing his opponent’s room for maneuver at the top of the field. Then, by offering him high and deep balls, thus making it difficult to place cushions. Strategically, the veteran was stronger than his rival, 16 years his junior.

The only fault of the Serb was in the service. Without being catastrophic, he opened the door to the first player in the world by not being as formidable as he can be. In the second set, the tightest of the game, Alcaraz responded.

Inefficient in break point until the eighth game with a ratio of zero in five, the Spaniard broke Djoko. He also did it again in the last game of the inning. Alcaraz destabilized the double champion of the tournament by taking his ease and going for each of the angles, even the most restricted, offered by the joker.

It was a constant match, until Alcaraz’s body stopped responding.

At the height of man

At the end of the second game of the third end, in reception of service, Alcaraz jumped, like players who are about to return the service of others to advance in the court.

But for no apparent reason, Alcaraz writhed in pain. His right leg obviously being the problem. The pain was such that the 20-year-old dropped his racquet, frozen in discomfort. Djokovic came to see him and because the pain was persistent and unbearable, he called the doctor. However, since the point total was not odd and the time to change sides had not come, he had to concede a point to his opponent.

The treatment, knee or thigh, lasted a few seconds and Alcaraz got back into action. But without moving. Every move seemed painful. He let slip the sleeve.

Despite a stop in the locker room between the third and fourth chapters, the damage was done and the evil had its skin.

The last round was a walk in the park for Djokovic, who didn’t hesitate to salute and courage his opponent after the match.

“I just want to say first of all that I find it unfortunate for Carlos,” he said after being complimented on his victory. I feel bad for him, I hope he can recover well. […] I want to say bravo to him for his competitive spirit and for fighting to the last point. I have a lot of respect for him!

Alcaraz represents the future of tennis. Few players have the privilege of being compared to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, not just in style, but in class, respect and attitude. Alcaraz is one of them. Like Federer, who never ended a match prematurely due to injury throughout his career, Alcaraz stayed in the game despite his pain, out of respect for his opponent, the spectators. and his sport. It is the mark of the greatest and even if he will have to wait to win his second major, Alcaraz is already part of it.