Alcaraz says French Open semi-final cramps were caused by nerves

Carlos Alcaraz said the cramps that afflicted him in his French Open semi-final loss to Novak Djokovic were a result of tension and nerves during the match, which he described as something he had never experienced before in his life.

“[It] has been really tough for me today. I have never felt something like I did today. I have never felt that tension that I did in that match.” said the Spaniard.

Related: Novak Djokovic outlasts cramping Alcaraz to race into French Open final

Djokovic defeated Alcaraz 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 to reach his seventh French Open final. After two extremely intense sets, Alcaraz began to suffer from full body cramps and he could no longer run. “It is not easy to play against Novak. Of course a legend of our sport,” he said. “If someone says that he gets into the court with no nerves playing against Novak, he lies.

“Of course playing a semi-final of a grand slam, you have a lot of nerves, but even more with facing Novak. That’s the truth. Next time that I’m gonna face Novak, I hope to be different, but the nerves will be there.”

Asked if he considered not finishing the match, Alcaraz said: “I would have felt sorry about myself if I would retire. I thought that probably I have 1% chance to come back.”

Djokovic heads to the final at Roland Garros chasing history as he looks to win a men’s record 23rd grand slam title. “I have said it many times this year that during the clay season that Roland Garros is where I want to peak on clay, where I want to play my best tennis,” he said. “So I put myself in another really ideal position to win a grand slam. That’s basically what still drives me when I wake up in the morning and think about the season and think about things I want to achieve. The grand slams are what drives me the most.”

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Djokovic will face Casper Ruud on Sunday after the Norwegian reached his third grand slam final and his second successive one at Roland Garros, dismantling Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4, 6-0.

“Last year it was against Rafa, this year it’s against Novak, so what can you say?” said Ruud. “It’s two of the toughest players in history. I’ve got to be the underdog like today, playing without too many feelings, just try to enjoy.”