Andy Roddick suggests it is ridiculous to think that Novak Djokovic did something controversial in celebrating his points won after Carlos Alcaraz suffered cramps.
Djokovic and Alcaraz were leaving it all out there in their French Open semifinal match but then the Spaniard started to experience cramps early in the third set.
Alcaraz played out the match but Djokovic won 12 of the last 13 games to seal a 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1 win.
“This controversy around Novak pumping his fists to stay focused and engaged when Carlos was struggling is a nothing burger. He was there to win a match. Did nothing to show up his opponent. Move on,” Roddick tweeted.
This controversy around Novak pumping his fists to stay focused and engaged when Carlos was struggling is a nothing burger. He was there to win a match. Did nothing to show up his opponent. Move on
ā andyroddick (@andyroddick) June 10, 2023
Roddick, Alcaraz defend Djokovic
After the match was over, a journalist asked Alcaraz whether Djokovic’s bathroom break after the second set triggered his cramps.
Also, Alcaraz was asked if he had a problem with Djokovic’s celebrations and fist-bumping.
Alcaraz then classily shut down the attempt to put a controversy around Djokovic.
“Many people may want to create controversy and claim that Novak went to the bathroom to stop the game or break rhythm, but no, not in my case. I don’t believe it influenced anything. The stress from the first game of the match carried over into the second set, and the physical demands Novak placed on me had an impact. Ultimately, I couldn’t hold on physically. As for your second question, I don’t blame him for anything. He had to close the match. It’s challenging to play against someone who isn’t at 100%. While they may experience a downturn, you can’t afford to have that downturn and instead must find a way to close the match. Clenching your fists helps maintain intensity and allows you to close the match as quickly as possible. I don’t blame Djokovic for doing that. The truth is, if I were facing someone who was injured or not playing at their best, and I experienced a slump, I would likely do the same. Closing a match is never easy,” Alcaraz said.