Carlos Alcaraz, the Spanish tennis sensation and four-time Grand Slam winner, has often spoken about his relationships with fellow players on the ATP tour. Earlier this year, he shared that while there are no friendships on the court, he maintains good relationships with many players off the court, including 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic. However, recent comments by Alcaraz have sparked curiosity about the true nature of their camaraderie, especially following a light-hearted exchange regarding Christmas gifts.
As the festive season approaches, many are preparing to spread cheer with thoughtful gifts for family, friends, and even rivals. In a recent video shared by Tennis Channel on Instagram, Alcaraz was asked about the gifts he would choose for some of his on-court competitors, including Djokovic. His responses, while humorous and creative, raised eyebrows—particularly his suggestion of gifting Spanish ham to Djokovic.
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What Alcaraz might not have realized is that Djokovic follows a plant-based diet, making ham an unsuitable gift for him. Alcaraz’s other gift ideas, however, appeared more thoughtful. He suggested new skiing boots for his good friend and rival Jannik Sinner, and either fine wine or a new set of golf clubs for Rafael Nadal. But his suggestion of ham for Djokovic surprised fans and led to mixed reactions on social media.
Many fans found the incident amusing, with some interpreting it as a genuine oversight and others seeing it as a reflection of the distant nature of their relationship. One fan expressed disbelief, saying, “Ham to Novak?? How can you not know that he is plant-based?” Another added, “Isn’t Djokovic vegetarian? That wouldn’t be so nice, IMO.”
For those unfamiliar with Djokovic’s dietary preferences, the Serbian star transitioned to a plant-based diet over a decade ago. This change came after 2010, when a dietitian recommended eliminating animal products to improve his health and performance. Since then, Djokovic has been an advocate for plant-based eating, sharing insights into his lifestyle in his 2013 book Serve to Win: The 14-Day Gluten-Free Plan for Physical and Mental Excellence.
Fans also chimed in with humorous reactions to Alcaraz’s gift idea. One suggested that if Djokovic declined the ham, they would be happy to take it. Another noted that while Alcaraz’s gifts for Sinner and Nadal seemed fitting, the choice for Djokovic was puzzling given his well-known dietary habits. One fan remarked, “Djokovic is mostly vegetarian & vegan @carlitosalcarazz.”
Despite the lighthearted confusion, this exchange underscores the good-natured spirit of the holiday season. While Alcaraz’s suggestion might have been an innocent mistake, it has sparked discussions about the nature of his relationship with Djokovic and brought a touch of humor to the tennis world. Fans continue to debate whether the gift idea was a playful jab, an oversight, or simply a funny moment that highlights the unique dynamics between the two athletes.