Men’s tennis player Carlos Alcaraz admitted on Wednesday that his father was probably filming defending Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic during a training session this week, as Serbian media alleged, but said the intentions behind the recordings were not malicious.
Serbian news broadcaster B92 reported this week that Alcaraz and his team, which included his father, were present during one of Djokovic’s training on Monday. According to the report, Alcaraz’s father began filming.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action against Andrey Rublev during the men’s singles quarter-final match during day nine of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 11, 2023 in London. (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
«That’s the situation we’re all in, the circumstances are such that we don’t have privacy in training, although sometimes I would like more privacy,» Djokovic said in response, according to the outlet.
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“The fact is that in training you are not completely relaxed. You know that your rivals are there, you know that everyone is looking over your shoulder at what is happening, what you are working on. Each shot is measured, evaluated and valued. , through some analysis, affects the eventual meeting with Alcaraz or anyone tomorrow.»
Alcaraz was questioned about the report during his quarterfinal press conference.
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain looks on against Holger Rune of Denmark in the men’s singles quarter-final match during day ten of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 12, 2023 in London. (Patricio Smith/Getty Images)
He apparently confirmed this, but clarified that the intentions behind filming Djokovic were nothing more than admiration.
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«Probably, it’s true. My father is a huge tennis fan. He doesn’t just watch my matches. I think he goes into the club at 11 am and leaves at 10 pm, watches matches, sees everyone’s practice.»
He continued: «Being able to see Djokovic in real life, yeah, it’s probably true that he filmed the sessions.»
Alcaraz denied gaining any kind of competitive advantage from the recordings, saying he has seen «a lot of Djokovic videos on all platforms.»
The practice courts at Wimbledon are accessible to reporters and a limited number of fans. Players also practice on adjacent courts that do not have walls or barriers between them.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia arrives for training during day 11 of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 13, 2023 in London. (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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Alcaraz is one match away from potentially facing Djokovic in the Wimbledon final, but first he will face Daniil Medvedev on Friday, who is playing his first semifinal match at the All England Club.
Associated Press contributed to this report.