Carlos Alcaraz doubles down on bold assertion about Novak Djokovic’s records…

Carlos Alcaraz doubles down on bold assertion about Novak Djokovic’s records

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz at the net
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz speak at the net at the 2023 ATP Finals

Carlos Alcaraz has revealed he is still holds the goal of breaking Novak Djokovic’s records, but also admitted the task will be “almost impossible.”

Juan Carlos Ferrero, Alcaraz’s coach, praised the Spaniard’s ambition, while he also claimed his pupil’s best surface is hard courts rather than clay.

Alcaraz has won two Grand Slam titles, having triumphed at the 2022 US Open and the 2023 Wimbledon Championships.

The 21-year-old defeated Casper Ruud in four sets in the final in New York to claim his maiden Major — a victory that made him the youngest ATP world No 1 ever.

The Spaniard then overcame Djokovic in a thrilling five-set championship match at Wimbledon last year to become the first man to beat the great Serbian in a completed match at the All England Club since 2016.

Djokovic secured the other three Grand Slam titles in 2023 as he took his Major tally to a men’s record of 24 — surpassing his great rival Rafael Nadal, who has 22.

Alcaraz divulged in February that the world No 1’s remarkable Grand Slam total is something that occupies his mind.

“Obviously, I keep thinking about Nole’s 24 Grand Slams, that’s clear,” he said ahead of the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires.

“I’m a very ambitious guy and I always want to think big, and I dream big, obviously Djokovic’s 24 is a goal at the end of my career. Now let’s wait to see where I get to, because maybe I get to five, maybe I stay at two.

“However, it is something that is inevitable to think about. I am very competitive and that is also what drives me to the highest level to try to be at the same level as the Big Three. The truth is that I dream big.”

In an interview with BBC Sport, Alcaraz reiterated his lofty ambitions when asked if he is still targeting Djokovic’s Major title record.

“Yes, of course. I am an ambitious guy,” replied the Spaniard.

“I know it is almost impossible to break Novak’s records but I’m playing tennis for myself, for joy and I want to do great things. I want to be part of tennis history.”

Ferrero expressed his approval at Alcaraz’s mindset: “What I like most is him thinking big and not just thinking small. To be one of the greatest you have to think big.

“It’s going to be very hard to break records but we’re here to try to do as well as we can.”

The former world No 1 and French open winner, who has coached Alcaraz since 2019, backed Alcaraz to win the French Open in his career, but argued he is not at his strongest on clay.

“I think his best surface right now is a hard court,” said Ferrero.

“He’s developed on these courts but we cannot avoid [that] the clay court is where he was born. I think he will win Roland Garros at least once – he has the game to do it.”

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