Carlos Alcaraz plans to play another Major final against Novak Djokovic have ended for now but the Spaniard believes that the 24-time Grand Slam champion can be dethroned in Melbourne Park this year.
The 20-year-old was knocked out by Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals in Melbourne as one of the two players who have handed Djokovic defeats in a Grand Slam. Following his exit, Djokovic has become the bookmakers’ favorite to win the tournament for a record-extending 11th time. However, Alcaraz still has other thoughts about the legendary Serbian and believes the World No. 1 could see a defeat on Rod Laver which he has owned for a long time.
The World No. 2 believes Jannik Sinner could be the man to do it after having won 2 of last 3 matches against Djokovic.
“I think the players that are in the semifinals have the level to beat him. Let’s see,” said Alcaraz.
“It’s not easy to beat Novak in a tournament, but I think it’s even tougher in a Grand Slam.
“But he has to face Jannik Sinner, that he’s playing an unbelievable game. He has not dropped a set in this tournament. That means that he has the level and the capacity to beat Novak.
“So let’s see. I’m gonna watch the matches, of course. And yeah, I think the players that are in this stage has the level to beat him.”
Sinner has declared that he is ready to lock horns with the tournament’s favorite after compiling victories against him in the ATP Finals and Davis Cup at the end of last season.
“This is what I practice for, no, to play against the best players in the world,” declared Sinner.
“Obviously he has an incredible record here, so for me it’s a pleasure to play against him, especially in the final stages of the tournament where things are a little bit more interesting.
“I’m looking forward to it, to be honest. It’s going to be tough. This, I know. I will control the controllable, which is giving 100 per cent, having the right attitude, fighting for every ball. And then we see the outcome.
“More than this, I cannot do. Doesn’t really matter who my opponent is. So I’m really looking forward to it and trying to prepare it in the best possible way.”
Meanwhile, 7-time Grand Slam Champion, Mats Wilander believes the Serbian’s hunger to beat the game’s young guns doesn’t appear to be dying down anytime sooner, as he suggested that this is the reason why the 36-year-old veteran statesman of the tennis continues to dominate.
“Pete Sampras retired because he was sick of tennis I think, there’s a big difference,” he told Eurosport, reflecting on Sampras’ retirement after his win at the 2002 US Open. “No, I think he’s going retire when he doesn’t feel like putting in the work.
“I think he will never lose the feeling and happiness of playing in front of 15,000 people. I think he will always enjoy that because he’s such a warrior out there. But I think for him when you start losing a little bit, that is what’s really, really important to these guys.
“But that’s not the reason they’re playing. They’re playing to be competitive and to challenge themselves. But that starts with getting up in the morning and doing the work. And when that is not fun anymore, I think that’s when Novak Djokovic will retire.”