Confident Carlos Alcaraz wants Novak Djokovic final at Australian Open
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Spain's Carlos Alcaraz has travelled to Australia without coach Juan Carlos Ferrero and decided not to play any warm-up events.
PHOTO: AFP
MELBOURNE – Carlos Alcaraz would like nothing better than to take the title away from Novak Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open in two weeks’ time, the Spaniard said on the eve of the start of the year’s first Grand Slam.
The Spaniard also said Djokovic’s record of 10 wins from 10 Melbourne Park finals made the prospect of landing his first Australian Open title by beating the Serb on Rod Laver Arena all the more appealing.
“It’s an extra motivation for me. I’m an ambitious guy. I always want to play against the best players in the world to see what is my level,” Alcaraz said on Jan 13, ahead of the Jan 14-28 tournament.
“Obviously, it’s a good test, playing against him in the tournament where he’s almost unbeaten.
“I’m looking to reach the final and, hopefully, playing a final against him. It would be great, obviously. But knowing those stats, it’s an extra motivation, for sure.”
As first and second seeds, Djokovic, 36, and Alcaraz, 20, can only meet in the final.
The duo had formed a rivalry last season, with Alcaraz ending Djokovic’s calendar Grand Slam dreams by winning the Wimbledon title. The latter won the Australian, French and US Opens to reach a record 24 Slams.
As tempting as the prospect of an Australian Open final between the two would be for tennis fans, it would require a marked improvement from Alcaraz, who has never made it past the third round in his two visits to Melbourne.
He missed the 2023 event with a hamstring injury as Djokovic won his 10th title to take back the No. 1 ranking from his younger rival.
Alcaraz has travelled to Australia without coach Juan Carlos Ferrero and decided not to play any warm-up events.
“I’m a guy who doesn’t need so much competition before a big tournament,” he added. “Obviously, (it) always helps (but) I’m prepared to do good things here in the Grand Slam.”
Confidence oozed from Alcaraz during his news conference as he discussed how he and the likes of Holger Rune and Jannik Sinner were forming the basis of a “new generation”.
But he is the only one of the trio who has won a Grand Slam. His maiden success was at the 2022 US Open followed by his victory over Djokovic at the All England Club in July 2023.
While accepting that there was still plenty to work on, Alcaraz said he had a good feeling about what the new season would bring.
“On the court, off the court. I think everybody can be better. Everybody can improve their things. I’m not perfect, so I have to improve a lot of things on the court and off the court, as well,” he said.
“I think, this year, it’s going to be a good one,” he added with a smile. REUTERS