Follow usEager and determined, Carlos Alcaraz is gearing up for the Australian Open, aiming to unseat defending champion Novak Djokovic and clinch his third Grand Slam title, which could propel him back to the world number one ranking.
The 20-year-old Spaniard is keen to put behind the memories of an injury-ridden start to the previous year, where he missed the Australian Open, allowing Djokovic to reclaim the top spot in the rankings. Alcaraz, often likened to a bull on the court, made an impactful comeback by winning his second Grand Slam at Wimbledon after an epic five-set final victory over Djokovic. Following his triumph at the 2023 U.S. Open in September, Djokovic edged out Alcaraz at the ATP Finals, securing his eighth year-end number one position.
As the Australian Open approaches, the stage is set for another potential epic clash between the two, and Alcaraz has the chance to reach the world number one spot. Djokovic currently holds a 2,200-point advantage, but Alcaraz has no points to defend from the previous year’s Australian Open due to his absence.
Alcaraz could claim 2,000 points with a title win in Australia, surpassing Djokovic regardless of the Serbian’s result. Even reaching the quarter-finals, semis, or the final would allow Alcaraz to move above Djokovic if the latter fails to advance alongside him.
Beyond the rankings, a statement victory at the Australian Open would solidify Alcaraz’s position in the tennis world, signaling a potential shift in the men’s game. Reflecting on facing Djokovic, Alcaraz expressed admiration, stating, “Learning from (Djokovic) is amazing. It’s incredible to share the court with him. I grew up watching him winning all the big tournaments, and you always dream about this moment, playing against him face-to-face, and I’m really, really happy to be able to do that.”
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