Novak Djokovic cheered cautiously and patted the deeply disappointed Carlos Alcaraz on the shoulders. After a great tennis drama around the 20-year-old Spaniard, the 36-year-old Serb reached the final of the French Open for the seventh time. Djokovic prevailed on Friday against the badly battered world number one 6: 3, 5: 7, 6: 1, 6: 1 and can hope for the third title at the clay court classic in Paris. Alcaraz was apparently plagued by cramps and could hardly move from the early stages of the third round.
World number three Djokovic only needs one more victory for his 23rd triumph in a Grand Slam tournament, which would secure him the sole record ahead of Rafael Nadal. Djokovic will meet Alexander Zverev or the Norwegian Casper Ruud in the final of the clay court classic in Paris this Sunday. The second semi-final was then scheduled.
In front of stars such as boxing legend Mike Tyson and actor Michael Keaton, spectators witnessed a major sporting tragedy on the hottest day of the tournament. At the beginning of the third set, Alcaraz was suddenly unable to perform. On one leg, he limped helplessly and desperately across the square. Since treatment was not planned at the time, the 20-year-old voluntarily gave up a game and had the doctor come. The spectators booed passionately about the automatic game win for Djokovic - up to this point it had been a high-class, spectacular semi-final with plenty of highlights.
Second oldest finalist in the history of the tournament
Alcaraz could hardly walk because of his complaints, the third set was gone. Even a new treatment brought little improvement: The US Open winner did not want to give up, fought with a big heart, but had lost all rhythm and mobility. With the score at 0-5, Alcaraz won another game in the fourth set, but Djokovic was allowed to celebrate less than an hour after the Spaniard's injury began.
For the second-oldest finalist in the history of the French Open, it is already the 34th final at a Grand Slam. Should he also prevail on Sunday, he would be the first male professional to win each of the big four tournaments three times.
Applause from Djokovic
At the beginning of the game, Alcaraz's pressure and nervousness were visibly noticeable. After each point won, the Spaniard cheered himself on, spoke to himself. But with his strong returns, Djokovic immediately put his opponent under pressure and dominated the early stages. Alcaraz complained that he had to involve his opponent in longer rallies. And the game became closer. Djokovic's service game lasted more than 14 minutes to make it 5-2, in which he fended off three breakballs. After 56 minutes, Djokovic secured the first round.
Both had only given up one round each in the course of the tournament, Alcaraz was on the court for a total of three and a half hours less. And until his problems, the 20-year-old took advantage of this. With the score at 1-1, he managed the point of the tournament so far: In the backward slide, Alcaraz hit past his left leg an incredible passing ball - even in the stands, the spectators pulled out their mobile phones to study the scene again. Djokovic also applauded appreciatively with his racket.
With the score at 3: 4, Djokovic had his apparently painful right forearm treated for a long time. But after Alcaraz had secured the second set, the Spaniard was shocked a little later - and then the quick end.