The captivating generational clash between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic has kept tennis enthusiasts captivated throughout the season. Despite a year where Alcaraz secured one Grand Slam title compared to Djokovic’s three, the Spanish sensation is now setting his sights on claiming the year-end world No. 1 ranking to conclude the season on a triumphant note. Alcaraz characterizes this rivalry with the 24-time major champion as a “remarkable battle.”
Carlos Alcaraz is relishing his “beautiful battle” with Novak Djokovic to finish as year-end world No. 1, which the Spaniard says is one of his “main goals” for the season.
Alcaraz triumphed over Djokovic in a thrilling Wimbledon final this summer to clinch his second major title, but the Serbian swept the other three Grand Slams to take his all-time record haul to 24.
The generational battle has seen both players enjoy periods on the summit of the ATP rankings, with Djokovic currently occupying top spot.
Alcaraz will look to close the gap when he takes to the court at the China Open this week in Beijing, where he is the top seed.
“We have a really beautiful battle for the No. 1 spot after the great performance Djokovic had in the American season,” Alcaraz said.
“He’s the No. 1 right now. I’m coming here with extra motivation to try to recover it in the race, in the ranking.
“As I said, it’s something that I have in my mind every time that I practice, in every tournament.
“It’s not obligatory for me to recover that, but of course you have to put the goals in the year.
“For me [the] No. 1 spot is one of the main goals. In these great tournaments, I’m looking to do great to be able to be close or recover that number.”
Alcaraz will face qualifier Yannick Hanfmann in the opening round in Beijing as he aims to pick up his seventh title of the season.
It will be the 20-year-old’s first appearance since reaching the semi-finals of the US Open earlier in September, where he suffered defeat to eventual runner-up Daniil Medvedev.
The Beijing event is being staged for the first time since 2019 and Alcaraz will therefore be making his tournament debut.
But the youngster explained that his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, a former-semi-finalist in Beijing, has helped with his preparation.
“He shared some insights about this tournament with me. Naturally, the tournament has evolved significantly since 2004; it’s almost a whole new event now. But he had positive things to say. He had some great performances in the years he played here and told me he thoroughly enjoyed his time on these courts. Hopefully, I’ll have a similar experience.”
