Lajovic, motivated by the clash against Alcaraz: “I hope to be the one who was”
The Serbian explains its form of form and its injuries
May 08, 2025
Peter Staples/ATP Tourby this ATEDIDE ATP
Not so long ago that Dusan Lajovic did not trust himself. Now, after months of recovery, it can be reaching Carlos Alcaraz at the perfect time.
An ankle injury interrupted the end of the 2024 season of the Serbian and left him with rhythm problems in the first months of this year. However, Lajovic has since fought to qualify for the three ATP Masters 1000 tournaments on whipped land and now prepares for an encounter with the No. 3 of the Alcaraz world in the internal internali bnl d’Italia in Rome on Friday.
“The last two weeks have been good,” Lajovic told ATPTOUR.com before his second round meeting. “I have found my rhythm and I am finally playing a tennis that looks like mine. I am happy to have three victories to me here, and face Carlos is always a pleasant moment, so I hope to have another good game on Friday.”
Two times Circuit Champion, finalist in Montecarlo in 2019 and Ex No. 23 of the world, Lajovic is no stranger to the great stage. Even if his status has declined -now at number 131 of the PIF ATP Ranking -, the 34 -year -old has a clear understanding of how the game has changed.
The new adaptation of Lajovic can be decisive in its attempt to give a memorable surprise to Alcaraz.
“Tennis is constantly evolving,” said Lajovic. “I think that today the new generations play a bit different, and I have had to adapt my game in recent years. Now, the boys are much stronger, they have much more powerful blows from any position. It is much more a game of power than finding the Right tactics and playing the cat and mouse.”
“But this is today’s tennis, and I have had to adapt a little, and I feel that in the last two years I have been able to follow their rhythm. Right now, I need as many games as I can, and also games at a higher level. When I say that, I mean winning matches in Masters, Grand Slams … If I do well in great events like this, that will keep me motivated to move forward.”
Although Lajovic has not been able to win a set in each of its four clashes Lexus ATP head2head with Alcaraz, he is aware that he can test the Spaniard in whipped land. They played twice on this surface in 2023, in a consecutive quarterfinals in Buenos Aires and Rio, the latter being the most prominent for Lajovic.
“I remember them vividly, especially the second,” said Lajovic, who led a break in each set of his 4-6, 6-7 (0) defeat against Alcaraz in Rio. “I had a set point. It was an easy shot, near the network, but he has fast hands and could beat me in the Tie-Break. It was a good game, but let’s see where I am since that season. We are both different players since then.”
Regardless of Friday’s result, Lajovic will enjoy the spotlights and see it as a good opportunity for him as he continues to work back to the top of the game.
“Facing him or any of the best, especially at my age, are games where I can go on the track and enjoy,” said Lajovic. “I will give my best and see where I am. Especially now, because I have not played against any of the best, so it is a test to see what the reality is and what my situation is.”
“I have had some problems. I twisted my ankle at the end of last season, and that dragged me this year … I have been fighting a little to find my game and my balance in the foot. Now, with the European tour, I have finally been able to turn it around and return to where I want to play. It has been perfect, classifying me for three masters, playing good games, even losing in the first round.”
“Now, playing against Carlos in Second Ronda is a good preparation for the France Open. I hope to return to where I was and have a few seasons more of good streak.”
