Carlos Alcaraz makes Novak Djokovic confession as race for No 1 spot heats up

Carlos Alcaraz has admitted his battle with Novak Djokovic for the world No 1 ranking is on his mind every time he practises and at every tournament. 

The two-time Grand Slam champion described his competition with Djokovic for the ATP top spot as “a really beautiful battle” and revealed it gives him “extra motivation.”

Alcaraz has fought with Djokovic for the world No 1 position throughout this year, having topped the ATP Rankings for the first time after winning his maiden major title at the 2022 US Open.

Djokovic did not receive points for winning the 2022 Wimbledon title due to the ban of Russian and Belarusian players, and was unable to compete at last year’s US Open due to vaccine entry requirements. Alcaraz finished the season as world No 1, while Djokovic ended it ranked fifth.

The Serbian recovered top spot following his Australian Open triumph in January, where Alcaraz was absent through injury. The Spaniard was the world No 1 at the last three majors, before Djokovic reclaimed it after his US Open victory this month.

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Speaking to the media ahead of his debut appearance at the China Open in Beijing, Alcaraz discussed his goal of overtaking Djokovic to top the ATP Rankings once again.

“Of course it is a goal. As I said a few times, we have a really beautiful battle for the No 1 spot after the great performance Djokovic had in the American season,” said the Murcian.

“He’s the No 1 right now. I’m coming here with extra motivation to try to recover it in the Race [to Turin], of course, in the ranking. As I said, it’s something that I have in my mind every time that 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.”

The 20-year-old also spoke of how his coach – former world No 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero – has shared his experience of playing in Beijing.

“We have [had] quality practice at home before coming here, played some sets with players from the academy that are playing great. I’m feeling great coming here. I had my first practice yesterday at the centre court,” explained Alcaraz

“It was amazing to get in and step on the court see how it is to be playing in that court. He told me a little bit about this tournament. Of course, since 2004 until now the tournament has improved a lot. It is almost a different tournament. But he told me great things about this tournament.

“He played great the years that he has played here. Yeah, he told me that he enjoyed a lot playing here. Hopefully I feel the same way that he felt when he was playing.”

Alcaraz is also set to compete at the upcoming ATP Masters 1000 event in Shanghai. Djokovic has opted to skip the Asian swing, presenting the Spaniard with an opportunity to close the gap to the world No 1.

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