Carlos Alcaraz acknowledged Novak Djokovic’s brilliance at the twilight of his career but has issued the warning to stop legendary Serbian’s Golden Slam bid in 2024.
The Spaniard admitted that being the #1 played in the world has always been the goal but said that he is not looking ahead of him at the moment.
Djokovic clinched three major tournaments this year and only lost to Alcaraz at the Grand Slams (Wimbledon final). It was the fourth season of the 36-year-old where he won three majors as he previously achieved this feat in 2021, 2015 and 2011.
In the last such run, Djokovic sealed first three Grand Slams of the season but fell at the last hurdle at US Open after losing to Daniil Medvedev in the final at Flushing Meadows. He was also denied a medal at Tokyo Olympics during same year.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion will have another opportunity to complete a Golden Slam (bagging all-four majors plus Olympics gold) next season. After clinching the 2023 ATP Finals, Djokovic revealed his ambition to complete the Golden Slam as he was asked about his motivation to keep playing on the tour with the sustained dominance.
“Well, you can win four Slams and Olympic gold (smiling). Let’s see. I mean, I have always the highest ambitions and goals. That’s not going to be different for the next year, that’s for sure,” he said in his press conference.
No male player has ever achieved the Golden Slam while from women’s side Steffi Graf achieve the astonishing feat in 1988.
Alcaraz, addressing the media ahead of an exhibition event in Mexico, talked about Djokovic’s chances to achieve the unfathomable in 2024.
“Djokovic has shown year after year that he is prepared to win the four Grand Slams and the Olympic gold, but we are here to prevent it, along with other players capable of defeating him,” the Spaniard said, as reported by EFE.
“Prepare your TV to follow me in 2024, because it’s going to be a year full of energy and good times. I try to focus on my career. My dream is to be considered one of the greatest in history.”
The 20-year-old became the youngest World No. 1 in ATP history after winning the 2022 US Open. Currently, the World No. 2, Alcaraz also talked about the No. 1 rank on the circuit.
“We are not looking for the record, far from it, but to reach that dream. I wouldn’t have minded if it had been at 25. We are in the tennis record books, which makes me very happy too and I hope it continues for many years.”
Djokovic and Alcaraz have crossed each other’s path four times in 2023 and the former has prevailed against the latter on three occasions to improve his head-to-head against the youngster 3-2.