Alcaraz on Djokovic: “He’s on my mind in every practice”

With all four Grand Slam events over, now the attention is mainly on the two ATP 1000 tournaments remaining in the tennis calendar, besides the Nitto Finals, which will be the last big tournament of the year.

Carlos Alcaraz is one of those players who still have plenty to play for before the end of the season, as the Murcia native is looking to get back to the world No. 1 spot after a fierce battle with Novak Djokovic throughout 2023.

The two-time major winner will also want to bounce back from his defeat to Jannik Sinner in Beijing, so Juan Carlos Ferrero’s player sees the Chinese tournament as an opportunity to get back to winning ways.

The 2023 Wimbledon champion would overtake Djokovic in the rankings if he manages to reach the final in Shanghai.

Alcaraz, determined to be the world No. 1 again

Alcaraz and Djokovic have held great battles this year and moments of high tension. The French Open semifinals and the Wimbledon and Cincinnati finals are great examples of it.

The 20-year-old star admitted that Djokovic is always on his radar, especially now that he’s trying to take back the rankings’ top spot from Nole:

“I think [about Djokovic] almost in every practice, I am not going to lie. I train with a goal. I go to the tournaments with a goal. To try to end the year as No. 1. Novak Djokovic is on my mind in almost every practice. I have to practice my best. I have to go for 100 percent in every ball to be able to catch him”.

“He is 100 percent focused. I watch his practice, his movement, and the way he plays and trains and it is something I want. He gives his all in every practice and game and it is something I am trying in my game”, he added.

Despite not being able to defeat Daniil Medvedev in the US Open semifinals in September, Alcaraz is the only player to have recorded more than 60 tour-level wins this term.

Another battle with Sinner?

In Shanghai, Carlitos will have to deal with top opposition once again, despite Djokovic’s absence. He could face Sinner again, with whom he has had a great rivalry that promises to last for a long time.

Both players have played eight times so far, with each of them winning on four occasions. Djokovic said some months ago that Alcaraz and Sinner were expected to take the reigns of tennis for the next years, and Alcaraz hopes he and Sinner can be another version of the Roger Federer-Rafa Nadal rivalry.

“We have a good rivalry. I am a guy who doesn’t want to lose in any match. Against him it is different. I feel a difference. Every time I beat him or lose against him is different. I learn something from every match I play against him. It would be great if [the rivalry] was like Rafa and Roger. It would be the dream. For ourselves and the tennis fans”, he admitted.

Alcaraz will make his debut in the tournament against Gregoire Barrere, who defeated Nuno Borges in straight sets in the opening round.