Carlos Alcaraz has made it clear that he practices to “find a way to beat” the World No. 1 Djokovic as he is in pursuit to finish the year as ATP #1 rank player.
The 20-year-old also said that he is not concerned about the 24-time Grand Slam champion getting notes of his style and playing patterns by hitting with him as they already know each other’s game very well.
Djokovic and Alcaraz have been fighting back and forth for the #1 and #2 ranks for quite some time and have feasted on the last six majors without allowing any other player.
Djokovic took three of the last four majors in 2023 and was only stopped once at majors by a blazing Alcaraz at the All England Club earlier in July. Alcaraz maintained the world No. 1 rank until the US Open, when Djokovic regained the crown as eventual victor and Flushing Meadows. The head-to-head series between the ATP #1 and #2 is tied at 2-2 and was filled with very high-octane brand of tennis in the recent years. Djokovic took the duos most recent encounter after sealing a three-set pulsating battle in Cincinnati Masters in August.
Alcaraz sat with Eurosport, after pulling out of Basel and ahead of his return to the Paris-Bercy Masters.
“I’m feeling better. Obviously, I had some weeks to recover my body. I got injured after Shanghai, but these days recovering was really, really helpful for me,” said the Murcia-native.
“Coming here not at 100%, but almost at 100%. I had high-quality practice with Novak and Casper [Ruud], so I’m getting ready.”
Alcaraz also discussed his intense practice sessions with the 24-time Grand Slam winner and dismissed the notion that training with his rival could reveal his game’s blueprints to the rival.
“Yeah, full [intensity], in every practice! I think we practiced [together] once in Madrid, and in Roland Garros as well. It was like the third or fourth time. No, I’m not [scared he will get used to my game], there are a lot of videos and matches, we’ve played four times, so we know each other very well,” he explained.
Alcaraz has revealed is aim to regain the world No. 1 spot he lost to Djokovic in September and conclude his 2023 campaign as ATP #1 seed.
“It’s on my mind. I practice with a goal, I practice to be a better player and obviously, Novak is there and I am practicing to, let’s see, find a way to beat him,” he said.
The 2-time Grand Slam champion also made a comment on his debut at the ATP Finals in Turin next month after missing the previous edition because of an injury.
“I went [to the ATP Finals] last year but just for a day. It was really tough for me, I realized I wasn’t able to play and stay there, but I’m really excited to go there and live the experience of playing in the ATP finals,” Alcaraz declared.
He also talked about the positive mindset while entering the final ATP Masters 1000 of the tennis calendar.
“I will try to forget everything that happened in the years before and I’ll try to play my best and enjoy it, and enjoy playing here [in Paris]. It’s an amazing tournament, obviously an amazing stadium as well, an amazing court. Let’s try to be better than last year.”
Alcaraz will face a decent challenge from Roman Safiullin in the opener in Paris on Tuesday. In the opposite half of the draw, the 20-year-old may meet Djokovic in the Paris in the championship match for a potential rematch of the Cincinnati final.