Alcaraz Reveals Djokovic's Playful 'Copyright' Claim Over Serve
Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz has shared a humorous exchange with Novak Djokovic, where the legendary player jokingly demanded a percentage of his prize money after noticing similarities in their serving techniques. The world number one disclosed this during his media briefing at the Australian Open, where he has advanced to the quarter-finals for the third consecutive year.
Djokovic's Message: 'We Have to Speak About Copyrights'
Alcaraz explained that during the off-season, he tweaked his serving technique, which bears a striking resemblance to Djokovic's delivery. Upon seeing videos of the new serve, Djokovic promptly sent a private message to the young star. "I just woke up one day and I checked my phone, and I had Djokovic message like, 'Alright, you have to pay me for the serve before the season starts'," Alcaraz recounted, drawing laughter from the audience at Rod Laver Arena.
Djokovic later elaborated to journalists, stating, "As soon as I saw it, I sent him a message. I said, you know, we have to speak about the copyrights. Then when I saw him here, I told him we have to talk about percentage of his winnings. Every ace I expect, you know, a tribute to me." This light-hearted banter highlights the camaraderie between the two competitors, despite their intense rivalry on the court.
Alcaraz's Response: 'I Have the Contract Over There'
During his on-court interview with Jim Courier, Alcaraz was informed of Djokovic's remarks and quipped, "Yeah, I heard that. I have the contract over there, but I haven't seen him yet!" The crowd erupted in laughter as he shared the anecdote, emphasising the fun nature of such interactions in the locker room. "It was fun. I mean, these kinds of things in the locker room, I think it's fun to share with another player," Alcaraz added.
The six-time Grand Slam winner has been serving impressively with his revamped action, which he decided to tweak himself at the end of last year. In his match against Tommy Paul, which he won 7-6(6) 6-4 7-5, Alcaraz's new technique was on full display, contributing to his strong performance and progression in the tournament.
Initiative Behind the Serve Change
Courier expressed surprise that Alcaraz took the initiative to change his serve without direct prompting from his coaching team. When asked if he approaches all his strokes this way, Alcaraz explained, "No, I mean, it's been a discussion with my team, but sometimes I think it depends on my feeling, in this case." He elaborated on his process, noting that he makes small adjustments based on comfort and ball feel, such as with his backhand movement.
"I've been doing really small things because I just felt it that way, and I started to do it, and I think sometimes it's the way that I'm feeling the ball, how I am comfortable with the movement of every shot," Alcaraz said. He acknowledged that while some changes involve team discussions, others stem from his personal instincts, creating a balanced approach to his game development.
This blend of personal initiative and collaborative coaching has evidently paid off, as Alcaraz continues to excel in Melbourne, showcasing not only his skill but also his ability to engage in good-natured banter with peers like Djokovic.
