Whether the battle at Roland Garros tilts toward Carlos Alcaraz or Djokovic remains up in the air until the final moment. The anticipation centers on Alcaraz, who is chasing his first Paris crown, and Djokovic, who is chasing a third Roland Garros trophy and a 23rd major overall. Rafael Nadal is absent from the French capital due to injury, which reshapes the competitive landscape and adds new pressure on every participant.
The mood is open, but Alcaraz carries less pressure as the tournament unfolds. The world number one has made it clear who his favorite is, saying that Djokovic is the standout rival on the clay. Djokovic has already claimed two titles here and has faced the hardest opponents in the game, a reality that Alcaraz acknowledges with respect and resolve.
extra gears
In the semi finals, the biggest moment of the week, Alcaraz regarded his next opponent as part of a straightforward draw, even as he recognized the high level that awaits. He noted that Djokovic possesses an extra gear and can reach an unbeatable standard. The opponent’s ball striking impressed him, as did Djokovic’s serve and return. There is a relentless consistency that leaves little room for error, a standard Djokovic rarely relaxes from. Yet Alcaraz also spoke of his readiness, describing a mindset to play a match that is challenging yet elegant in its complexity.
Beating Stefanos Tsitsipas offered a strong signal about Alcaraz’s form. He called it perhaps the best performance of his career and expressed confidence in his ability to handle whatever the competition throws at him. While he is not claiming the crown outright, he feels in peak condition and prepared to push for the title with everything he has.
As Djokovic and Nadal hover in the discussion of the tournament’s history, the question of who will reach the highest tally of Grand Slam titles remains unsettled. The focus remains on the upcoming rounds rather than tally counts. The goal is to maximize every opportunity, to collect wins and to demonstrate the form and focus that could carry a player through the most pressure-filled moments on clay.