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Coco Gauff's ex-coach Brad Gilbert shared his views on Novak Djokovic's main disadvantage in the rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz after the Spaniard displayed excellence in the 2025 French Open finals. The 22-year-old defeated heavy favorite Jannik Sinner in a five-set thriller at Philippe Chatrier.
Djokovic was hopeful for the 25th Grand Slam title at the Roland Garros when his dreams came to a halt at the hands of Jannik Sinner, losing in straight sets. As he emotionally left the clay court, Sinner geared up to face Alcaraz in the finals. Alcaraz, who has often been compared to fellow Spaniard and 'King of Clay' Rafael Nadal, lost the first two sets but recovered in the third and eventually defended his title after a thrilling five-setter.
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Reacting to the showdown, Coco Gauff's ex-coach expressed that the defeat was a one-of-a-kind, especially the Spaniard's comeback after two sets.
"that might be the cruelest beat i’ve ever seen, and there have been some epic 2 sets comebacks in the finals of slams, i need a TO"
When another X user hailed Alcaraz as someone hard to beat in the finals, another fan said that Djokovic has done pretty well in that area, especially at the Cincinnati finals. The same year, at Wimbledon, the Spaniard claimed his second Major by defeating Djokovic.
"@DjokerNole has done pretty good versus Escape fr Alcaraz - right Coach? The Cincinnati final a few years ago was the best. I had watched until Sunday’s @rolandgarros match."
Gilbert agreed to the claim but noted that the key factor that would obstruct the Serb from pushing his limits is his age.
"he definitely has , unfortunately the age gap is very difficult to overcome"
At the 2023 Cincinnati finals, the 24-time Grand Slam winner overcame a match point to beat Alcaraz in a phenomenal three-setter.
Novak Djokovic expressed doubts over his Roland Garros appearance next year
Djokovic stands as the only man to achieve a triple Career Grand Slam and all of the big titles across his storied career. His first men's singles gold medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics added him to the legendary list of Career Golden Slam winners.
At Roland Garros in 2025, the 38-year-old was in top form but suffered a semi-final exit. On his way out of the court, he emotionally thanked his fans, and the gesture moved everyone. In the post-match presser, he shared that 12 months until the 2026 Roland Garros would be a long wait, and his appearance in it was uncertain.
"This could’ve been the last match ever I played here. I don’t know. That’s why it was a bit more emotional in the end. If this was the farewell match of Roland Garros for in my career, it was a wonderful one in terms of the atmosphere and what I got from the crowd."
He added:
"I don’t know right now. 12 months at this point in my career is quite a long time. Do I wish to play more? Yes I do. But will I be able to play in 12 months time here again? I don’t know."
Alcaraz, at 19, defeated the then-No. 1 Djokovic at the 2022 Madrid Open, becoming the youngest player to defeat the top-ranked since 2004.
