Ruud eyeing World Number One spot after Alcaraz Australian Open withdrawal: "If there is ever a chance or time to maybe be close"

Casper Ruud has his sights set on the world number one spot after Alcaraz withdrew from the Australian Open as he only needs to reach the final to do so.

Alcaraz not being present in Melbourne opens up the chance for several players to get the number one rank. One of them is Casper Ruud as he only needs to reach the final of the event to have a chance. Ruud will be the second seed and he reached the final at two of the last three grand slams he played so it's possible.

It's a goal for him as he confirmed speaking ahead of the event:

"We all wish him a speedy recovery. Tennis is more exciting with him playing tournaments. If there is ever a chance or time to maybe be close to being world No.1 it could be in the near future."

Despite eyeing that achievemtn, Ruud is mostly looking to win a major as that is what really counts according to him:

"It's more important and a bigger achievement in my head and mind to win (a major) than be the world No.1."