Carlos Alcaraz keen to steer clear of Rafael Nadal-Novak Djokovic GOAT debate as he eyes his own legacy

Tennis News

Shahida Jacobs
March 22, 2023

Carlos Alcaraz has sight himself some lofty goals this year as he wants to win another major and beat Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, but he insists he doesn’t want to “take any Grand Slams away from them or prevent either of them from being the best of all time”.

Following his successful title run at the Indian Wells Open last week, Alcaraz returned to the top of the ATP Rankings and many believe he will be the dominant player on the Tour over the next few years.

The 19-year-old already has one Grand Slam to his name after winning the US Open last year, but two of tennis’ all-time greats in Nadal and Djokovic can never be written off.

Nadal and Djokovic are locked at 22 majors each with many feeling the player who ends up with the most Slams will widely be recognised as the greatest player of all time (GOAT).

Alcaraz is determined to get the better of the pair this year, but he is keen to write his own legacy instead of being dragged into the Nadal-Djokovic debate.

Speaking exclusively to Eurosport’s Players’ Voice series, he said: “When thinking about a goal for this year, I have to win a Grand Slam… or at least try to win another Grand Slam and more Masters 1000 events.

“Those are big goals for me. Staying at world No 1, you get there by winning majors and Masters 1000s, it is no secret. I will try to do my best in these kinds of tournaments. I want to beat Nadal and Djokovic, but I am not here to take any Grand Slams away from them or prevent either of them from being the best of all time. I am just trying to write my own history.”

And the history he wants to create involves being the best.

He added: “I want to win Slams. I am ambitious and my goals are big, I’m not going to lie. My dream is to be one of the best in history, to try to get somehow close to them.

“I know it will be very complicated – maybe even impossible – but in this world you have to think big and dream big. In the end, that is my dream today.”

Alcaraz became the youngest world No 1 last year when he reached the top after winning the US Open while Sunday’s Indian Wells Open title was his third ATP Masters 1000 trophy.

And while titles and awards are always good when it comes to recognition, the 19-year-old wants to achieve something bigger and better when it comes to his own legacy.

“At the end of my career, I would like to be remembered as a good person, a normal, natural and happy person. Playing on instinct and joy are two tenants of my game,” he said.

“If I don’t play on instinct and if I don’t play with joy, my tennis is not the same. I think life is better that way. That’s the most important thing of all.

“Of course, being someone that young kids look up to is a big hope for me. I try to pass on good values both on and off the court. I also had my idols, and to potentially be one of those for the new generation would be wonderful.”

Carlos Alcaraz was speaking exclusively to Eurosport as part of its Players’ Voice series

Carlos Alcaraz