Carlos Alcaraz starts with a win as he targets Novak Djokovic’s No 1 ranking
Carlos Alcaraz suggested he was starting a new chapter in his career as he got back to winning ways in his first-ever match in China.
Just three weeks have passed since his US Open defeat against Daniil Medvedev, as his hopes of clinging on to his title in New York ended in surprising fashion.
That was followed by a break from Alcaraz as he opted out of Spain’s Davis Cup squad as he rested his body after a few months that included a stunning first Wimbledon title.
Alcaraz has now set his sights on claiming the year-end world No 1 title from Novak Djokovic and he started that mission by beating German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann 6-4, 6-3 at the Beijing ATP 500.
He began the Asian swing behind World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the ATP Live Race To Turin, but could close that gap to 315 points by winning his first title since Wimbledon in Beijing.
“Hopefully I have a lot of years to come here to China. Creating my chapter here in China would be great for me,” said Alcaraz.
“To finally be able to come here to China and show my tennis in front of the Chinese people is something that I wanted a long time ago and I’m really happy to do it, hopefully the first of many here.
“I’m really happy to be able to win this match in straight sets. Yannick’s playing great. He’s a really dangerous player, big shots. He was playing big bombs in this match so I had to be really focussed, trying to not let him dominate the match.
“I tried to be really focused on every part of my game. I have to improve a little bit so I’m really happy to do it and have another chance to be better in the next round.”
With Alcaraz and Djokovic already assured of their places in the ATP Finals in Turin, the bigger battle is for the prestigious year-end No 1 crown.
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Alcaraz has now set his sights on claiming the year-end world No 1 title from Novak Djokovic and he started that mission by beating German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann 6-4, 6-3 at the Beijing ATP 500.
Alcaraz has now set his sights on claiming the year-end world No 1 title from Novak Djokovic and he started that mission by beating German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann 6-4, 6-3 at the Beijing ATP 500.
Alcaraz took that title last year after Djokovic missed a succession of tournaments due to his decision not to have a Covid-19 vaccine.
Djokovic also missed some big tournaments for that reason at the start of 2023, giving Alcaraz a chance to push a player who has won three of the four Grand Slam titles this year all the way for the No 1 prize.
“We have really beautiful battle for the No. 1 spot after the great performance Djokovic had in the American season, let’s say. He’s the No. 1 right now,” added Alcaraz.
“I’m coming here to China with extra motivation to try to recover it in the race, of course, in the ranking. As I said, it’s something that I have in my mind every time I practice, in every tournament.
“Is not obligatory for me to recover that, but of course you have to put the goals in the year. So for me No 1 spot is one of the main goals for me.
“In these great tournaments, I’m looking to do great to be able to be close or recover that number.
“Then next year I’m looking to play the four Grand Slams. I hope to not miss any of them. I will try to do the same things that I’m doing this year.
“I could be more than happy if I won the same tournaments that I won so far of the results that I’m doing this year. That’s my goal for next year. That’s obvious.
“Right now I’m really happy with the level I’m playing, with the result I received so far. The year is not over. There are few tournaments ahead. So hopefully to end that year as good as it started.”
