The two-time champion of major tennis tournaments stated that he considers himself to be “an excellent player” who has accomplished remarkable feats, but believes that there is still much more for him to achieve.
Alcaraz made history by becoming the youngest player ever to reach the number one spot in the ATP Rankings after his victory at the 2022 US Open, where he defeated Casper Ruud in an intense final match.
Last year in July, the 20-year-old triumphed over Djokovic in a thrilling five-set final at Wimbledon, securing his most recent title at any level. Since his victory at the All England Club, the Spanish player has only reached one final, which was at the Cincinnati Masters in August.
Recently, the world’s second-ranked player suffered a defeat in the semi-finals of the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires, losing to Nicolas Jarry. However, Alcaraz had previously won the clay-court tournament in 2023. Currently, he is participating in the ATP 500 event in Rio.
During his campaign in Buenos Aires, Alcaraz was asked about being regarded as a star by his competitors. In response, he stated that he does not perceive himself in this way.
“I do not see myself as a star, but rather as an exceptional player. In my opinion, the true stars are Djokovic, Rafa, Federer, and a few others out there. Although I have achieved great things, I still have much more to accomplish,” the Spaniard expressed in an interview with Marca.
Additionally, Alcaraz discussed his recent milestone of winning his 160th match on the ATP Tour, which he achieved by winning his first match in Argentina.
“Accumulating victories is always a positive thing. The first victory occurred at the beginning of 2020, and now four years have passed. I have achieved numerous triumphs, and we will continue to do so. I am already envisioning my 200th victory,” Alcaraz shared.
Furthermore, Alcaraz openly admitted that Djokovic’s impressive record of Grand Slam titles often occupies his thoughts. He also acknowledged Jannik Sinner as one of his main rivals.
“Undoubtedly, I frequently contemplate Djokovic’s 24 Grand Slam titles. However, at this moment, Djokovic and Sinner are the players to beat. They are performing at an exceptionally high level that very few individuals can surpass,” Alcaraz revealed in an interview with Ole.
“Nevertheless, since I am an exceedingly ambitious individual who always thinks big and dreams big, Djokovic’s 24 titles are a long-term goal for me. Now, we must wait and see how far I can go. Perhaps I will achieve five titles, or maybe I will remain at two.”
“Nonetheless, it is inevitable for me to ponder about this. My strong competitive nature propels me to strive for the highest level and to match the achievements of the Big Three. The truth is, I have grand aspirations.”
According to the Source tennis365.com