Coach Ivanisevic: 'Djokovic and Alcaraz also met in many finals'

"Everybody is looking forward to a new competition between Alcaraz and Djokovic," coach Ivanisevic told Dnevnik Nova TV, during an interview at the ATP 250 tournament in Umag last week. "Despite the big age difference, they will play many finals together. We have a beautiful tennis era ahead of us."

Djokovic and Alcaraz have only met three times, including twice at the Grand Slam and once at the ATP 1000. Alcaraz won two of their three confrontations, most recently at the 2023 Wimbledon final after five sets. "I'm still sad about the loss, but Djokovic was definitely sadder because he was the one who competed," Ivanisevic recalls.

The Croatian strategist has a good relationship with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero and also appreciates his colleagues' students. "Alcaraz has an incredible future ahead of him if he continues to play like this," continued Ivanisevic. "He does everything with a smile on his face. We were fortunate to have Alcaraz in the previous three Umag tournaments."

Ivanisevic won Wimbledon 2001 and is considered one of the best Croatian players in history. His name is given to the main arena at the ATP 250 tournament in Umag, Croatia. Alcaraz won the first ATP championship of his career here in 2021. A year later, the Spaniard lost to Jannik Sinner in the final. This year, Alexei Popyrin after defeating Stan Wawrinka 6-7, 6-3, 6-4 on July 30.

Alcaraz's scheduled schedule includes one of two clay events this past week at Umag and Hamburg, but the 20-year-old did not attend any tournaments and is taking time off for the North American hard court season. He will return in the Rogers Cup - the ATP 1000 tournament kicks off August 7 in Toronto, Canada. Djokovic has withdrawn from this tournament. Nole is likely to play only one warm-up before the US Open, the Cincinnati Masters.