Quote of the Day: “I thought I’d only have trouble with you on clay!” Djokovic tells Alcaraz after Wimbledon defeat

WATCH: Novak Djokovic Finds Carlos Alcaraz Has "Best Of All Three Worlds" With Big 3 Game Elements | Wimbledon

After putting on a show in the championship match, Novak Djokovic was once again in fine form in the Wimbledon press room—this year, though, the difference was a rare Centre Court defeat on Sunday at the hands of Carlos Alcaraz.

Ever the class act, the seven-time Wimbledon winner showered compliments on Alcaraz after their nail-biting 1-6, 7-6 (6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 battle, and even managed to crack a few jokes despite the tough result.

“Good afternoon to everyone… not so good for me, but good for Carlos,” he joked during the trophy ceremony. The Serbian in particular was impressed with Alcaraz’s quick study, as the 20-year-old was competing in only his fourth grass-court tournament of his career before taking home the biggest title of all.

“I thought I’ll have trouble with you only on clay and maybe hard court, not on grass! But now? It’s a different story this year, obviously,” Djokovic said with a wry grin. “Amazing way to adapt to the surface.”

It’s the 12th time that Djokovic has lost in a Grand Slam final, but while he’s able to keep this one in perspective his disappointment was clear to see after the match:

Q. You won in Australia, you won in Roland Garros, and here you are at yet another final here in Wimbledon. It’s been a very good year, so you must still be very proud of what you’ve achieved so far?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I will be. Tomorrow morning, probably. (laughing) Today? Not so much.

Obviously, it’s a tough one to swallow, when you’re so close. But again, these are the moments that we work for every single day, to be able to play in the biggest stages and the most important tournaments in the world.

I’ve been blessed with so many incredible matches throughout my career, and this is another one in the history books for me. I’m really, really grateful even though I didn’t win today. I lost to a better player, and I have to congratulate him and move on. Stronger, hopefully.

Djokovic was going for his 24th Grand Slam title on Sunday, which would have put him level with Margaret Court in the all-time titles list. He already leads the men with 23, ahead of “Big 3” rivals like Rafael Nadal with 22 and Roger Federer with 20.

On Sunday, Djokovic paid Alcaraz the ultimate compliment as he noted the Spaniard’s game and on-court mentality reminds him a bit of himself and his legendary rivals.

“I think people have been talking in the past 12 months or so about his game consisting of certain elements from Roger, Rafa, and myself. I would agree with that. I think he's got basically best of all three worlds.”

While his historic feat will have to wait at least one more Grand Slam, Djokovic can aim to clinch his revenge at the US Open—where it will be Alcaraz's turn as the defending champion.