MELBOURNE: Carlos Alcaraz claims he has “extra motivation” to overcome 10-time winner Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open in an effort to break the Serbian’s lengthy winning streak in Melbourne.
Despite missing the Grand Slam last year due to a leg injury, the second-ranked player from Spain is set to face Djokovic in the Melbourne final. The veteran has a 3-2 advantage in their five meetings, all of which have taken place in the semifinals or finals.
Although Djokovic, 36, hasn’t lost at the first major of the year since 2018, Alcaraz, who prevailed in an exciting Wimbledon final the previous year, stated that this has just made him more motivated to win. “It provides me with additional motivation,” declared the two-time Grand Slam victor on Saturday. “I’m a guy with ambition.
“To find out where I stand, I always want to compete against the world’s top players. Of course, going up against him in the venues or competitions where he is virtually undefeated is a good test.”Yes, I want to make it to the final and perhaps face him in one. Obviously, it would be fantastic.” Alcaraz hopes to join Rafael Nadal, Bjorn Borg, and Mats Wilander as the only men to win three majors prior to turning 21.
Before the Australian Open, which begins on Sunday, the 20-year-old decided not to participate in a warm-up match, citing the need to refresh his body and mind.
“We discussed with my team, as well, that we need almost four, five weeks of pre-season to prepare well this season, for the first Grand Slam of the year,” he stated.
“If I wanted to play a tournament before the Australian Open, we wouldn’t have enough time. Ultimately, we would have wanted to come directly to a Grand Slam at the Australian Open. Before a big event, I believe I’m a man who doesn’t require a lot of competition.”
Due to knee surgery, the Spaniard’s coach Juan Carlos Ferrero is not with him in Melbourne. Instead, Samuel Lopez, a former world number one player who worked with Ferrero during his playing career, will be his coach.
