Carlos Alcaraz challenges Novak Djokovic: “I aim for his records”

The challenge has been thrown: does the final in Melbourne between them seem like the natural epilogue to the tournament? And who are we talking about, if not Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.

The young Spaniard won the 4th round (for the first time in his career) of the Australian Open 2024, overcoming the Chinese Shang Juncheng, who was also forced to the withdrawal, at the beginning of the third set due to an obvious physical problem.

Carlitos showed a consistently high level of play throughout the match, also helped by the imperfect conditions of his not irresistible opponent. Furthermore, Alcaraz will not challenge Tommy Paul in the 4th round, but Miomir Kecmanovic, who eliminated the American from the tournament. And to think that Paul is a tennis player who in the past has often caused difficulties (and even beaten) the young Spaniard.

Alcaraz© Cameron Spencer / Staff Getty Images Sport

At the press conference, Alcaraz analyzed his match, highlighting how he has not yet reached his best level.

“I’m not at my best level yet, I’ve realized that by now but I tried to concentrate only on the match and thought about playing a good match. Shang is a great tennis player and I think I will face him several times in tournaments like this in the future. Match rating? I feel good, I think I’m at a level of 7-8 out of 10, it’s a good level and I feel good.

I’m improving day by day and even with the movements things make me better. I’m getting used to these fields and I hope I can still improve. Goals? My goal is to maintain a high level throughout the season. After Wimbledon I lost matches that I shouldn’t have lost but this is tennis, these things happen. Now my goal is to do as well as last year and correct the things I did wrong.

Kecmanovic? He has come from very tough matches and this is certainly better for me. Two years ago we faced each other in Miami and he played a great match, I think it will still be a great fight. I have to play my best tennis to advance to the next round.”

Alcaraz challenges Djokovic

Carlitos also talked about his ambitions: his aim is obviously to aim for what Djokovic has done in his career. The challenge is launched between them: “Borg’s record? I don’t give it importance, I want to aspire to the same records of Novak Djokovic, I aim for those over the course of my career. I’m focused on the work and I want to do well, but I don’t have to focus on the records otherwise it could go against you.”