It's not rare for greats in any profession to take inspiration from someone else. Carlos Alcaraz has found a new tweak to his game that resembles his rival, Novak Djokovic.
Alcaraz made some adjustments to his game, including his serve which has gone viral for looking like Djokovic's serve.
Djokovic and Alcaraz serves, side by side pic.twitter.com/WdzgBixP09
— The Big Three (@Big3Tennis) January 13, 2026
It's gotten to the point where reporters have been asking both players at the Australian Open what they think about the similarities between both serves.
Djokovic was asked first, to which he delivered an answer in jest.
“As soon as I saw Carlos’ serve I sent him a message. Every ace he hits, I expect a tribute to mem" Djokovic said. "Let’s see if he’s going to stick to the agreement.”
Many thought Djokovic was joking about sending Alcaraz a message but it turned out to be true.
In a post-match interview, Alcaraz was asked about Djokovic's response and was all smiles.
Alcaraz spoke on the similarities of his serve motion to Djokovic’s after his win at Australian Open
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 25, 2026
“Novak’s like ‘Wait. That’s my serve. He’s gonna have to pay me some money for that serve.’ Did you hear him say that?”
Carlos: “Yeah. I heard that. I have the contract over… pic.twitter.com/z0SSm1aKX3
Alcaraz added that Djokovic so much as challenged him for the right to use the serve. It's all playful banter between the two as they continue to cross paths on the tour.
Alcaraz has gotten the better of Djokovic as of late but that hasn't stopped the Spaniard from picking up the legend's techniques.
MORE: Novak Djokovic explains why American men's tennis has struggled in Grand Slams