Novak Djokovic, in defeat, has never been so lovable

New York: The odd thing about Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz s semifinal meeting at Arthur Ashe Stadium wasn t the level of tennis or the score,...

New York: The odd thing about Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz’s semifinal meeting at Arthur Ashe Stadium wasn’t the level of tennis - or the score, though that does warrant a pause.

Alcaraz flaunted his virtuoso game and won, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2, to pass another career checkpoint - it was his first time beating Djokovic on a hard court.

Yet those in the riveted crowd that piled into Arthur Ashe Stadium were pulling not for Alcaraz, the most fawned-over 22-year-old in the game, but for Djokovic. Finally, they cheered for Djokovic.

The twilight of the 38-year-old Serb’s career seems to be increasingly defined by conundrums, and this run in New York has been one of them. Djokovic has spent the bulk of his early tennis career craving the same global adoration lavished on his two greatest rivals, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, while he more often played the role of the villain, - or at least the uber-entertaining heel. At Grand Slams, he often oscillated between provoking the crowd and humbling himself enough to admit that he just wanted to hear them cheer his name. He famously developed a mental trick, transforming in his own mind any opponent’s name he heard during matches - "Ro-ger! Ra-fa!” - into his nickname. "No-le! No-le!” He convinced himself the crowd was chanting for him.

He didn’t have to do any mental gymnastics Friday. The crowd in New York applauded for flashy points no matter which player prevailed, making it clear they wanted to see a show. But they yelled only one name throughout the first two sets. Only crucial service holds from Djokovic - not, say, stunning winners from Alcaraz - made the crowd explode into song (The White Stripes’ "Seven Nation Army” - what else?).