Carlos Alcaraz has highlighted his goal of trying to level with Novak Djokovic on the ATP Tour.
The 20-year-old has a strong rivalry with the 24-time Grand Slam champion. This season has seen them battling it out in some historic matches, including their five-set thriller at the Wimbledon final from which Alcaraz emerged victorious and their highly emotional clash at the Cincinnati Open final where Djokovic took the victory.
The status of World No. 1 has also been passed between the two players throughout much of this year. Most recently, Djokovic usurped Alcaraz in the ATP Ranking at the US Open, where the 36-year-old equaled Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam titles.
In a recent interview, Alcaraz stressed his goal in relation to Djokovic as he aims to match the top-ranked player.
"We are going to try to do well to be as close as possible to Djokovic, to our goal," he said via estadiodeportivo
The Spaniard has previously said that his objective is to reclaim the top spot in the ATP Ranking in time to be the year-end No. 1. Although Djokovic built up quite a lead with his victory in New York, the Serb is playing less events on the Asian Swing, thus giving Alcaraz a chance to make up some ground.
Most recently, the two-time Grand Slam champion was competing at the ATP 500 China Open in Beijing, where he reached the semi-final before being defeated by Jannik Sinner. After his defeat, the Spaniard reflected on his game.
"I think I played good tennis in the first set, trying to take advantage of my opportunities. But today it didn't work out. I had opportunities to get the second break in the first set. I didn't take advantage of it. Also other breaking points later. I didn't take advantage of them," he said.
Alcaraz will next be in action at the Shanghai Masters which begins this week.
Carlos Alcaraz wants Big 3 glory: “The long-term goal is to be considered 1 of the best in history, as great legends like Djokovic, Rafa Nadal, & Federer. This goal may be too big, or they think I’m arrogant, but in this life you have to think & dream big. You have to go for it”
