Carlos Alcaraz adds to the hype ahead of ATP Finals showdown with Novak Djokovic

Kevin Palmer
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Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic in action

Carlos Alcaraz is preparing for a showdown with Novak Djokovic at the ATP Finals in Turin – and he is not even trying to dampen down the hype around this match.

After losing his opening match to Alexander Zverev, Alcaraz needed to beat Daniil Medvedev to qualify for the semi-finals and he did it in style with a 6-4 6-4 victory that sent him through to the semi-finals on his debut in the tournament.

Now the tennis world is holding its breath for the fourth meeting between the game’s top two players in 2023, with the previous three matches epic contests that have helped to define a thrilling new rivalry.

Djokovic prevailed as the pair met in the French Open semi-finals, with a cramping issue affecting Alcaraz after two thrilling opening sets.

Then Alcaraz turned the tables on Djokovic as he thrillingly beat the Serbian to win his first Wimbledon title in July.

Their third meeting was the epic Cincinnati Masters final in August, as Djokovic somehow found a way to win on a night when he was stretched to the limit by the young Spaniard.

Now Alcaraz and Djokovic will get it on again, in what feels like a heavyweight boxing contest in the final major ATP Tour event of the year.

While Alcaraz has admitted he dreams about beating Djokovic every time steps onto a tennis court, it is clear that he is already thinking beyond this semi-final as he has his eyes on the big prize in Turin.

“It’s just two matches away, but at the same time it’s too far away,” Alcaraz told reporters.

“I have Novak in the semifinal. If I win that match, I have a really tough final. I’m dreaming about winning this tournament. Why not?

“But I have to play my best first in the semifinal. I’m going to face one of the best players in history. I’m going to face the best player in the world right now. I will have to put my best game if I want to beat him.

“It’s one of the most difficult challenges I’m gonna face. Facing Novak in ATP Finals, a tournament that he’s won six times.

“Obviously, Novak is Novak. He’s the best player in the world right now. He only lost six matches this year. That means he’s unbelievable.

“I’m gonna put my best tennis. I’m gonna enjoy it. The same way I’ve been doing these last few matches. I’m excited to face Novak.”

READ MORE: Tim Henman suggests Carlos Alcaraz is the greatest of all-time in one key area

Alcaraz believes he has grown as a player over the course of 2023, as he suggested he is in a different mental space than he was when he lost to Djokovic at the Frnech Open.

“Probably I’m stronger mentally. Right now, compared to Paris, I’ve spoken about dealing with the pressure, dealing with tough, tough moments,” he added.

“In Paris I didn’t deal with the pressure. I learned about that situation. Then came Wimbledon,and then came Cincinnati.

“It was a really, really good match. I think facing someone like Novak, you have to stay strong mentally & deal with the pressure that he puts on you in every ball, in every point. I think I learned a lot about that. I think I’m ready to face him.”

Tickets for the ATP Finals last four Saturday sold out a long time ago and the fortune few who have snared seats are in for a real treat, with local hero Jannik Sinner also on the menu as he takes on Daniil Medvedev.

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