Novak Djokovic, the current world No. 1, will not compete in the Asian games and is not expected to return until the Rolex Paris Masters next month. Even without Djokovic, an impressive rivalry is developing in Beijing.
Alcaraz claims that beating Djokovic to reclaim the top spot is what motivates him most heading into this week’s China Open in Beijing. The Wimbledon champion has one specific objective for the remainder of the year: to end the year as the world’s top player for a second straight year.
Alcaraz talked to the media in Beijing and said: “As I said a few times, we have a really beautiful battle for the No. 1 spot after the great performance Djokovic had in the American season, let’s say. He’s the No. 1 right now. I’m coming here with, as you said, extra motivation to try to recover it in the Race and, of course, in the ranking. As I said, it’s something that I have in my mind every time I practice, in every tournament.”
He further added: “It is not obligatory for me to recover that, but of course, you have to put the goals in the year. So for me, the No. 1 spot is one of the main goals for me. In these great tournaments, I’m looking to do great to be able to be close or recover that number.”
Although tennis legends like John McEnroe and Rod Laver have praised Alcaraz’s abilities to advance the game, he claims that finding joy on the court is what motivates him most. Alcaraz said: “I don’t feel that pressure. For me is great to be surrounded by legends and hear good words from them. But I try not to take it as important as it is. It’s just happy to hear that and try to simulate it on the court, you know, my joy.”
Carlos Alcaraz says he thinks about the world #1 ranking every time he’s training:
“We have a really beautiful battle to be world #1, especially after the great performance Novak had in America. Right now he is number one, so I come here with extra motivation to try to get him… pic.twitter.com/mAx2HYURRb
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 27, 2023
Carlos Alcaraz in 2023
WWWWLWWWWW Now ranked no.2, Carlos played his last match on the 8th of September when he lost to world no.3 Daniil Medvedev 7-6(3) 6-1 3-6 6-3 in the semifinal of the U.S. Open (draw).
Currently, during this year the Spaniard owns an overall 58-7 record. Carlos conquered 6 titles in 2023 in Buenos Aires, Indian Wells, Barcelona, Madrid, London and Wimbledon. Alcaraz was the finalist in Rio de Janeiro and Cincinnati.
Novak Djokovic in 2023
WWWWWWWLWW Ranked no.1, the Serbian played his last match on the 15th of September when he defeated world no.25 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3 6-4 in the Rubber 2 of the Davis Cup (draw).
During this season Djokovic achieved an overall 46-5 win-loss record. The Serbian clinched 5 titles in 2023 in Adelaide, Australian Open, French Open, Cincinnati and U.S. Open. Djokovic reached the final in Wimbledon.
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic fought against each other 4 times. Their current head to head is 2-2. Previously, the last time they locked horns, Novak Djokovic won 5-7 7-6(7) 7-6(4) in the final in Cincinnati (Western & Southern Open) on the 20th of August 2023.
Here the video highlights.
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic |
| Embed from Getty Images |
