Alcaraz after losing to Djokovic: "I'll leave Australia with my head held high".
Carlos Alcaraz saw his dreams of an Australian Open title come to an end.
The world number 3 was eliminated in the quarter-finals for the second year running in Melbourne, this time against the master of the tournament, Novak Djokovic, who knocked him out in four sets (4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4).
The four-time Grand Slam winner appeared in a press conference after his elimination and felt he had had his chance to put a doubt in the Serb's mind.
"Honestly, I have the feeling that I was in control of the match, and I let him gain confidence. I'll tell you what my biggest mistake was today.
In the second set, I had to play a little better to push him further back.
He saw that he had some difficulty moving around at the end of the first set, and it was a little better at the start of the second set. It was up to me to push him to the limit, and I didn't do it.
After that, he started to feel better and played at a very good level. That was my main mistake today. Obviously, when Novak plays like that, it's very difficult to find solutions.
But I think I had my chances. It was a close match. I think he won most of the important points," Alcaraz lamented to reporters.
"At the same time, I'm lucky to be able to live this experience. I'm 21 years old. In the future, in matches like this, it will be easier for me to manage everything that happens in the match.
I'm not going to hide. I've already achieved great things in tennis, but playing against one of the greatest players in the history of our sport will help me to be even better in the future.
Novak's words mean a lot to me, and it's always good to hear such words from someone who has played some legendary matches. I'll be leaving Australia with my head held high," he concluded.
Australian Open 
