In what can only be described as a daunting task, Alexandre Muller faced off against the legendary Novak Djokovic and found himself in a battle he likened to feeling “suffocated” on the court. The world No. 70 player had the opportunity to take on the 24-time Grand Slam champion for the first time, a meeting that left him reeling from the sheer dominance displayed by the Serb.
The Frenchman’s day at the office turned into a nightmare as Djokovic swept through the match with a crushing 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 victory. Muller struggled from the outset, with Djokovic not allowing him a single game or break point in the opening set. The world No. 4 continued his onslaught by claiming the first two games of the following set, leaving Muller gasping for air in the wake of Djokovic’s flawless execution.
After a bleak start that saw Muller lose the first eight games, he finally managed to get on the board by serving out the third game to love. However, his respite was short-lived as Djokovic broke his serve once again, establishing a two-break advantage. The Frenchman did show some fight by securing a break back in the sixth game, but Djokovic swiftly regained control, taking the next two games to seize a commanding two-set lead.
Despite a brief resurgence from Muller as he edged ahead 3-2 in the third set, Djokovic quickly shifted gears to put an end to any hopes of a comeback. The Serb embarked on a relentless string of games, reeling off four in a row to secure a comprehensive victory, conceding just five games in total. Muller’s encounter with Djokovic left him grappling with the stark reality of facing one of the sport’s greatest players in peak form.
Looking ahead, Muller also tested his skills against rising star Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in 2023. The Spaniard proved too strong for Muller, delivering a straight-sets defeat with a scoreline of 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-3. Muller’s encounters with top-tier opponents serve as a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of professional tennis, where even the best can find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer brilliance of their rivals.