According to Carlos Alcaraz, having Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer supporters encourage him when he plays Novak Djokovic is a source of extra motivation and happiness.
Along with acknowledging the comparisons to the Big Three, Alcaraz said he does not aim to imitate any player because he wants to feel like Carlos Alcaraz.
Since ascending to the very top of the sport, Alcaraz has often been compared to tennis legends; Djokovic, who fell short of the Spaniard in a thrilling Wimbledon final in July, has heaped praise on the man.
Djokovic expressed his thoughts about Alcaraz a while before and said: “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 the best of all three worlds. I haven’t played a player like him ever, to be honest. Roger and Rafa have their own obvious strengths and weaknesses. Carlos is a very complete player. Amazing adapting capabilities that I think are key for longevity and a successful career on all surfaces”
Before the exhibition event, Alcaraz spoke with the Mexican media about his rivalry with Djokovic and addressed the comparisons drawn between him and the famous three. He said: “I perceive that I am Carlos Alcaraz. We don’t set out to copy any style from the three. For someone like Djokovic to say that I have the best of the three best players in the history of our sport, for me, is wonderful, but, inside, I want to think that I am not any combination of any player. I want to feel that I am 100% Carlos Alcaraz.”
He added: “I’m a guy who watches social media a lot and every time I face Djokovic, there are always fans cheering me on. It is an extra motivation and a joy to have those fans of Rafa or Federer, perhaps not all, but a large part, cheering me on when I play against him or any player. It is wonderful.”
Carlos Alcaraz in 2023
WWWWWWWLWW Now the world no.2, the Spaniard 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).
During this season Carlos achieved a composed 65-12 match record. The Spaniard conquered 6 titles in 2023 in Buenos Aires, Indian Wells, Barcelona, Madrid, London and Wimbledon. The Spaniard was the finalist in Rio de Janeiro and Cincinnati.
Rafael Nadal in 2023
Now ranked no.663, the Spaniard played his last match on the 18th of January when he surrendered to world no.41 Mackenzie Mcdonald 6-4 6-4 7-5 in the 2nd round of the Australian Open (draw).
This season the Spaniard has managed to achieve a composed 1-3 win-loss record.
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal fought against each other 3 times. Their actual record is 2-1 for Nadal. The last time they squared off, Carlos Alcaraz won 6-2 1-6 6-3 in the quarter in Madrid (Mutua Madrid Open) in May 2022.
You can watch the highlights in the following video.
Novak Djokovic in 2023
WWWWLWWLWL Ranked no.1, Djokovic played his last match on the 25th of November when he was defeated by world no.4 Jannik Sinner 6-2 2-6 7-5 in the Rubber 2 of the Davis Cup (draw).
At present, during this year the Serbian has a 56-7 win-loss record. Novak clinched 7 titles in 2023 in Adelaide, Australian Open, French Open, Cincinnati, U.S. Open, Paris and the Nitto ATP Finals. Novak was the runner-up in Wimbledon.
Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic |
| Embed from Getty Images |
