"I will try to recover as soon as possible": Alcaraz has sights set on hunting down Djokovic as new World No.1

Wednesday, 30 August 2023 at 21:00

Carlos Alcaraz revealed his goal of reclaiming the world No. 1 ranking from Novak Djokovic after the conclusion of the US Open.

The Spanish tennis player has already advanced past the first round at Flushing Meadows and has successfully embarked on his mission to defend the title he achieved in 2022, when he secured his first Grand Slam by defeating Casper Ruud. He also ensured his position as the world No. 1 for the first time in his career.

Alcaraz is defending 2000 points in the upcoming weeks and has a narrow points gap with Djokovic. Additionally, Djokovic did not compete in the 2022 edition, which meant that it was known in advance that Djokovic only needed to step onto the court in the first round to surpass Alcaraz by the end of the championship.

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With the defense of the world No. 1 ranking no longer his, Alcaraz is focusing on playing at his best level:

“I was excited to play my first round here in the US Open,” said Alcaraz.

“It was great to step on the court again in the Arthur Ashe after such a great run last year. I was excited to come back.”

“I’m not thinking about the defending the title. I just focused on playing at my best level, to recover the level that I played last year and try to do the same things that I did last year. That’s the only thing that I’m thinking right now.”

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The 20-year-old acknowledged that he hopes to stay in the battle for the world No. 1 ranking and that returning to the top of the rankings is one of his objectives.

“It’s a goal for me. I said before that we are having a really good battle for the No. 1, Novak and I,” explained Alcaraz.

“I knew that he was going to recover the No. 1 after the US Open.

“When the tournament is over, I will try to recover as soon as possible. That’s my goal. I am working for that. The season has a lot of tournaments until the year is over. I’ll try to recover it before the before the year ends,” he added.

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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