Carlos Alcaraz hails Novak Djokovic's elite tennis knowledge

Despite a close to 16-year age gap, Alcaraz and Djokovic have forged a strong rivalry in recent seasons, with the two meeting on court eight times.

Djokovic leads the head-to-head 5-3, including wins in the Paris 2024 gold medal match and at the Australian Open this year, though Alcaraz has won back-to-back Wimbledon finals over the Serbian.

However, despite the ferocity of their matches, the two are known to share a hugely respectful relationship off the court.

And, when asked at Wimbledon as to which player had impressed him the most with their knowledge of the sport, Alcaraz had one clear answer.

He said: "Right now, I think Novak Djokovic is the guy who is the smartest, the smartest on court.

"The player who has the most knowledge of tennis, I think it's Novak without a doubt. With his experience with everything he has lived on a tennis court and has watched a lot of matches in his career, I think he has the most knowledge of tennis."

Alcaraz and Djokovic were seen practising together ahead of Wimbledon, and, with the two on opposite sides of the draw, a third straight final between the two is possible.

However, following their often intense battles on the court, the Spaniard also revealed that talking about tennis with Djokovic was the last thing on his mind off it.

"I've talked with Novak many, many times. I've watched his matches. I've practised with him. I've watched his practices as well sometimes," added Alcaraz.

"But we have never talked about tennis, about matches, whatever. I prefer to talk with him other things, about life, not about tennis, to be honest.

"So I don't know how to answer that question, to be honest. Just trying to take some things about his game, the way he practices, the way he plays sometimes in the matches.

"But I just watch from the outside, not talking with him and asking him some questions about tennis. It's just about watching his matches because I love watching him playing. I love the times that I practiced with him, just to see how he moves, how he plays, how he practices. I love that.

"But apart of that, I don't talk too much with him about tennis."

Alcaraz's comments came after he reached the fourth round of Wimbledon on Friday, with the Spaniard battling his way to a four-set win over Jan-Lennard Struff on Centre Court.

On a 21-match win streak in 2025, and a 17-match win streak at Wimbledon, the world No 2 returns to action on Sunday for his fourth-round match versus 14th seed Andrey Rublev.

Meanwhile, Djokovic contests his third-round match on Saturday.

The seven-time Wimbledon champion faces compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic, having won all three previous meetings versus his fellow Serbian.