Carlos Alcaraz revealed his intention to break a significant ATP record after achieving a milestone with his hard-fought four-set victory over Lorenzo Sonego at the Australian Open 2024.
The two-time Grand Slam champion prevailed in a tough second-round match in Melbourne on Thursday, defeating Sonego 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-3, 7-6(3). In the third round of the Australian Open on Saturday, the world No. 2 player will take on the 18-year-old Chinese player Shang Juncheng.
During an interview with Barbara Schett, the former world No. 7, Alcaraz was informed that this was his 200th professional match. She then asked him how many more he wished to play in his career.
Alcaraz expressed his thoughts about it and said: “I didn’t know that. But I’m really happy. I’ve just had 2 years on tour and already made 200 wins. For me, it’s incredible. Well, I think the record right now is 1,200 [and] something, right? I will try to catch them; that’s my goal. But right now, I am focused on the third round and 300 wins.”
Alcaraz at the Australian Open, ranking, and results in 2024
Ranked world no.2, Alcaraz has an overall 2-0 match record in 2024. Carlos is now competing at the Australian Open where he managed to beat the world no.131 Richard Gasquet 7-65 6-1 6-2 and the world no.46 Lorenzo Sonego 6-4 6-73 6-3 7-63.
Carlos Alcaraz will fight against the world no.140 Juncheng Shang in the 3rd round. They have never competed against each other up to now on the main tour.
Alcaraz won 13 titles in his career: 3 on hard courts, 7 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 2 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)