What surprised Novak Djokovic about Carlos Alcaraz’s golf game after playing with him recently

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz might be fierce rivals on the tennis court, but on the golf course, there really isn’t much comparison between the two.

While the world focuses on the battle for Grand Slams and the world number one ranking, three of the game’s biggest icons recently found a different kind of green to conquer.

Trading their tennis whites for golf polos, Djokovic, Alcaraz, and Alexander Zverev stepped onto the fairways to settle a different kind of score, and Djokovic was shocked by what Alcaraz did on the first tee.

What shocked Novak Djokovic about Carlos Alcaraz’s golf game

As well as being the world’s number one-ranked tennis player, Alcaraz is also known as an incredible golfer. But even Djokovic was surprised by just how good he was.

Speaking to the Tennis Channel, he said, “Speaking of golf actually, yesterday was a fun day on the course. It was Zverev, Alcaraz and myself playing some golf. It was my first time playing with these guys and it was fun. It was a lot of laughter, a lot of mind games. It was good.

“I’m behind these guys. I don’t play as much as I used to, and practice makes perfect, so that’s my excuse. Alcaraz is on his way to—I mean, I show up, the guy rips his first drive 300 yards. Par five, he’s going for his eagle.”

“I said to him: ‘Man, is there anything you’re not good at, man? Like, what’s going on here.’ Raw power.”

“He loves his golf, Sascha does too. It was great to spend some time with these guys. Obviously we’re all big rivals but it’s also nice we get along well and we can play other sports and spend some time off the court.”

Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev’s golf handicaps

While Djokovic remains a formidable presence on any court, he is the first to admit that his golf game is a work in progress. Although he doesn’t carry a strictly verified official handicap, he is widely estimated to play around a 14 or 15.

His game relies on the same legendary consistency and tactical discipline seen in his tennis, though his lack of recent practice has seen him fall slightly behind his younger peers.

Alcaraz has quickly become a golf obsessive. His official handicap is currently listed at 11.5, a remarkable feat for someone who only picked up the clubs five years ago.

Much like his forehand, his golf swing is defined by raw power, frequently outdriving seasoned players and putting him in position for those elusive eagles Djokovic mentioned.

Alexander Zverev is perhaps the most seasoned golfer of the trio. With a handicap estimated in the single digits (around 7 to 9), Zverev’s 6’6” frame provides immense leverage and a smooth, repeatable swing that thrives under pressure.

Among the three, he is often considered the scratch threat, having played more consistently over the years.