Carlos Alcaraz admits he practises to beat Novak Djokovic as big goal remains on his mind

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Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic after a match
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic enjoy a light-hearted moment

Carlos Alcaraz has revealed he practises to “find a way to beat” Novak Djokovic and that the prospect of finishing the year as world No 1 is still on his mind.

The Spanish star also explained he is not concerned about his Serbian rival getting used to his game by practising with him as the pair already “know each other very well.”

Alcaraz played Djokovic in a practice session ahead of this week’s Paris Masters, something rarely seen between two players at the very top of the game.

Djokovic and Alcaraz are the No 1 and 2 players in world respectively and have shared the last six Grand Slam events between them – with the Serbian winning four and the Spaniard claiming two.

The 36-year-old triumphed at three of the four Majors this season, while he was defeated in five sets by Alcaraz in a pulsating Wimbledon final in July. He reclaimed top spot in the ATP Rankings from Alcaraz following his victory at the US Open last month.

The head-to-head between the duo is split at 2-2 – with all four encounters enthralling and featuring high-level tennis. Djokovic edged the pair’s most recent clash – an epic and gruelling three-set battle in the final of the Cincinnati Masters in August.

In an interview with Eurosport, Alcaraz addressed how he was feeling ahead of his return in Paris, having withdrawing from last week’s Swiss Indoors due to injury.

“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 Murcian.

“Coming here not at 100%, but almost at 100%. I had high-quality practice with Novak and Casper [Ruud], so I’m getting ready.”

The 20-year-old then discussed his intense practice with Djokovic and dismissed the suggestion that training with his rival could be disadvantageous.

“Yeah, full [intensity], in every practice! I think we practised [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, who has outlined his ambition to finish the 2023 season as the ATP world No 1 since losing top spot in September, reiterated this desire.

“It’s on my mind. I practise with a goal, I practise to be a better player and obviously, Novak is there and I am practising to, let’s see, find a way to beat him,” he said.

The Spaniard also spoke about his upcoming debut at the ATP Finals in Turin next month – having missed last year’s edition through injury – as well as his appearance in Paris.

“I went [to the ATP Finals] last year but just for a day. It was really tough for me, I realised 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.

“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 Roman Safiullin in his opening match at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Paris on Tuesday. He could take on top seed Djokovic in a potential final.

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