Alexandre Muller used some fairly robust phrases to explain how robust it was to play in opposition to Novak Djokovic because the world No. 70 stated he felt like he was being “suffocated” on the market.
12 months in the past, the 27-year-old acquired an opportunity to fulfill the document 24-time Grand Slam champion for the primary time. To say the least, it wasn’t an excellent day on the workplace for the Frenchman because the Serb dismantled him with a 6-0 6-2 6-3 scoreline.
Initially of the match, the present world No. 4 stormed previous the primary set after not permitting Muller a single sport or break level and he additionally gained the opening two video games of the next set.
After dropping the primary eight video games, the Frenchman lastly acquired on the board after serving out to like the third sport however he discovered himself down by two breaks after dropping his serve once more within the fifth sport. A bit unexpectedly, the world No. 70 then managed to get one break again within the sixth sport however Djokovic rapidly addressed it by taking the following two video games and opening a two-set lead.
Whereas Muller managed to stabilize a bit and open go 3-2 up within the third set, it did not take lengthy earlier than the Serb went on one other large run as collected the following 4 video games to finish his dominant win with simply 5 misplaced video games.
In the summertime of 2023, the 27-year-old additionally performed Carlos Alcaraz for the primary time and the Spaniard handed him a 6-4 7-6 (2) 6-3 loss at Wimbledon.
“In opposition to Novak, the reality is that I’ve by no means felt like that on a tennis courtroom earlier than. It was completely suffocating. The man leaves you nothing, not a crumb, it is horrible. I performed Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon and it was nearly enjoyable in comparison with Novak. Carlos allows you to breathe just a little, however Novak suffocates you on a regular basis,” Muller advised We Are Tennis.
Muller beforehand described Djokovic as ‘extra spectacular’ than Alcaraz
In certainly one of his previous interviews with French media, the Seventieth-ranked participant admitted to feeling “afraid” on the courtroom after the four-time US Open champion simply gained the primary eight video games of their match. Fortunately for him, he was in a position to step up a bit from that second and keep away from fully embarrassing himself.
However in opposition to Alcaraz, the Frenchman described it as a very completely different scenario as he claimed he felt he would undoubtedly have some probabilities at profitable video games and possibly even units.
“Djoko doesn’t allow you to breathe. There have been 6–0, 2–0, I used to be afraid. We stated to ourselves: ‘Am I going to play?’ Whereas Alcaraz, he’s extra flamboyant, however I had small video games the place I used to be in a position to win simply. Djokovic is extra spectacular,” Muller advised L’Equipe.
In that very same interview, the 27-year-old confessed that he felt if Djokovic actually needed to present him a triple-double bagel, he would have finished it.
“They’re two completely different video games. We talked about it with my coach Gérard Solvès. I advised him that in opposition to Alcaraz, I knew I used to be going to attain. He tries rather a lot, so he makes much more errors. However in opposition to Novak, I had the impression that if he needed to place me 3 times 6-0 up, he might do it. He’s so stable, he doesn’t give away any free factors and that makes it extra sophisticated for me. With Alcaraz, I’ve a bit extra respiration house to win video games,” he defined.
Do you what was attention-grabbing in regards to the Djokovic and Muller match?
For those who bear in mind nicely, the Serb did not compete on the 2022 US Open as a result of he wasn’t allowed to enter the nation unvaccinated. However after the COVID restrictions had been relaxed, the 37-year-old was free to return to Flushing Meadows in 2023.
And because the former world No. 1 felt so comfortable about returning to the courtroom, it wasn’t too laborious for him to ship an inspirational efficiency in his first match again. Whereas it was nice for him, it wasn’t that nice for Muller.
“It was an amazing pleasure to be stepping out on the courtroom. I feel the efficiency explains how I felt tonight, significantly within the first two units. It was type of lights-out tennis actually, nearly flawless, excellent first set. I’ve most likely had the reply for each shot he had in his e book. Total I am very, more than happy with the best way I really feel, with the best way I am taking part in. Hopefully I can preserve that degree. It is just the start of the event, however I already like the extent of tennis,” Djokovic stated after destroying Muller in his US Open return final yr.
