‘Would be even better to play Novak Djokovic in the final’, says Carlos Alcaraz

Ewan West 08 Jul 2023 2:16 PM

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz joking

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz speak

Carlos Alcaraz has said it would be “amazing” to reach the final at Wimbledon this year, but it would be “even better” if he faces Novak Djokovic.

The world No 1 also declared he feels he belongs on Centre Court after earning his first victory in the iconic arena.

The 20-year-old will meet second seed Djokovic in the final at the All England Club if both players progress to that stage.

Alcaraz is competing at Wimbledon for just the third time in his career, having reached the second round in 2021 and the fourth round last year. Djokovic is a seven-time Wimbledon champion and has not lost at the tournament since 2017.

The head-to-head between the pair is 1-1, with Alcaraz winning their first encounter in Madrid last year and Djokovic prevailing in four sets in the French Open semi-finals last month.

Following his second round win over Alexandre Muller, the Spaniard discussed a potential meeting with the 23-time Grand Slam champion in the title match.

“It would be amazing for me play a final here in Wimbledon. Even better if is against Novak obviously. But there’s a lot of great players playing here on grass, that feel really, really comfortable on grass,” said the Spaniard.

“I have to be really, really focus until the final. It’s a lot of matches ahead. I can’t be relax. I have to play my best in every match. Let’s see if I reach the final or not (smiling).”

The US Open champion also spoke about the nerves of playing on Centre Court for the second time and what it meant to get his first win.

“Well, a little bit at the beginning. But the experience that I had last year help me a lot to manage the nerves better than the last year. Of course, the round is different. Playing the fourth round against [Jannik] Sinner – in second round, it was different. This time I [was] enjoying. I enjoyed a lot,” said the 20-year-old.

“Yeah, I mean, I feel that. Of course, is really special to have my first win on Centre Court here in Wimbledon. A really beautiful court. Of course, I really wanted to have my first one. I feel that I belong in that court. I feel like I’m ready to play more matches, to play more great matches on that court.”

Alcaraz is in action against world No 28 Nicolas Jarry in the third round of Wimbledon today.