In the history of tennis, Novak Djokovic is a name that has surpassed all records and achievements. The Serbian player not only achieved an incredible 24 grand slams during his professional career, but he also won numerous ATP titles and was able to hold the top spot for an extended period of time. So much so that the legend serves as an inspiration for even the upcoming young stars.
Another rising star in the game, Carlos Alcaraz, considered the same thing, praising the Serbian for setting a record and expressing admiration for him for accomplishing legendary feats.
In a recent disclosure, Carlos Alcaraz discussed his thoughts on Novak Djokovic’s amazing milestone of launching an incredible 400 weeks as the world’s top player. Alcaraz said he would be looking up to the challenge of maintaining the top spot for an incredible 15 years. His objectives are straightforward: to beat Djokovic and become the greatest player in history.
The Spanish player did acknowledge that it was an outstanding achievement that only the Serbian could have made in the game. The Spanish player appears ready to put everything on the line, rise to the top, and pass the Serbian.
Alcaraz expressed his thoughts in a recent interview and said: “I’m motivated because I want to beat this guy. I want to be the best in history. I want to practice with a goal. I want to beat him. I want to win every tournament that I’m going to play. But at the same time, I will not think about it because it’s really, really difficult. It’s something that a legend from our sport could make. It’s unbelievable what he’s doing—just breaking records and winning every tournament that he goes to. It’s crazy.”
The Spanish player disclosed the recurring objective he had set himself in another interview. He reveals that his goal is to surpass Novak Djokovic and secure the top ranking in the ATP. But that was never going to happen after a string of unsatisfactory outcomes left him content to take second place.
Alcaraz said: “For me, the #1 ranking is one of my main goals. In these great tournaments, I’m looking to do great to be able to be close to or recover that number.”
Carlos Alcaraz is excited to face the phenomenal Novak Djokovic for the fifth time on Saturday.#NittoATPFinals | @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/nIT5fAWFck
— Eurosport (@eurosport) November 17, 2023
Carlos Alcaraz in 2023
Now ranked no.2, Carlos played his last match on the 18th of November when he was defeated by world no.1 Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-2 in the semifinal in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
This season the Spaniard owns a compiled 65-12 win-loss record. Alcaraz 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.
Djokovic in the Nitto ATP Finals, ranking, and results in 2023
Currently ranked no.1, Djokovic owns a compiled 54-6 record in 2023. Novak ended his run in the round-robin after defeating Carlos Alcaraz 6-3 6-2.
Novak Djokovic will square off with the world no.4 Jannik Sinner in the final on Sunday at 7:00 pm on Centre Court. Their head to head is 3-1 for Djokovic.
Novak conquered 6 titles in 2023 in Adelaide, Australian Open, French Open, Cincinnati, U.S. Open and Paris. The Serbian reached the final in Wimbledon.
The Serbian won 97 titles in his career: 52 on hard courts, 19 on clay courts, 18 on indoor courts and 8 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic played each other 5 times. The head to head is 3-2 for Djokovic. The last time they competed against each other, Novak Djokovic won 6-3 6-2 in the semifinal in Turin (Nitto ATP Finals) on the 18th of November 2023.
In the video below you can watch the highlights.