"That is the meaning of these two tournaments": Alcaraz using absence of Djokovic in Beijing and Shanghai to mount World No.1 challenge

Carlos Alcaraz admits he is using the impending tournaments this week in Beijing and then Shanghai to plot his route back to World No.1 and usurp Novak Djokovic at the top of the world rankings.

Djokovic maintains a stranglehold on top spot by a small distance, but a caveat remains with the 24-time Grand Slam champion unlikely to play again for some time due to his pick and choose schedule. As a result, the Spaniard can close the gap.

He said that while he wants that goal too, he wants firstly to get close to him and put himself in line to return. He was usurped by Djokovic who won the US Open to do so, but instead of playing the China Open, he has been at the Ryder Cup instead.

"I think Novak Djokovic defends some points soon, in the race he is like 700 or 800 points ahead," Alcaraz said.

"By playing these two tournaments and Novak Djokovic does not participate I have the opportunity to get closer to number one."

"That is the meaning of these two tournaments, to be able to do well here in Beijing and Shanghai and be able to regain number one soon," he continued. "If I don't achieve it and get closer to it, it will also be great, because there are still some tournaments ahead."