Alcaraz ‘calls out’ Djokovic
CARLOS ALCARAZ would like nothing better than to take the title away from Novak Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open in two weeks’ time, the Spaniard said on the eve of the start of the year’s first Grand Slam.
The 20-year-old said Djokovic’s record of 10 wins from 10 Melbourne Park finals made the prospect of landing his first Australian Open title by beating the Serb on Rod Laver Arena all the more appealing.
“It’s an extra motivation for me, I am an ambitious guy and I always want to play against the best players in the world to see what is my level,” Alcaraz told reporters yesterday.
“Obviously, it’s a good test, playing against him in the tournament where he is almost unbeaten.
“I am looking to reach the final, and hopefully playing a final against him. It would be great obviously.
“But, yeah, knowing those stats, it’s an extra motivation, for sure.”
As first and second seed, Djokovic and Alcaraz would meet in the final on January 28, if neither is knocked out in an earlier round.
As tempting as that prospect would be for tennis fans, it would require a marked improvement for Alcaraz, who has never made it past the third round in his two visits to Melbourne.
He missed last year’s tournament with a hamstring injury as Djokovic won his 10th title to take back the number one ranking from his younger rival.
“I think I am a guy who doesn’t need so much competition before a big tournament,” he added.
“Obviously (it) always helps (but) I think I am prepared to do good things here in the Grand Slam.”
Confidence oozed from Alcaraz during his news conference as he discussed how he and the likes of Holger Rune and Jannik Sinner were forming the basis of a “new generation”.
Crucially, Alcaraz is the only one of the trio who has won a Grand Slam after his 2022 US Open triumph and his victory over Djokovic in last year’s Wimbledon final.
While accepting that there was still plenty to work on, Alcaraz said he had a good feeling about what the new season would bring.
“On the court, off the court. I think everybody can be better. Everybody can improve their things. I am not perfect, so I have to improve a lot of things on the court and off the court, as well,” he said.
“I think this year, it’s going to be a good one,” he added with a smile.
Coco Gauff not resting on her laurels
In the women’s division, Coco Gauff has revealed that she has no intention of being a “one-Slam wonder”.
While her win over Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Flushing Meadows final gave her confidence heading into the Australian Open, she says she spends little time dwelling on the past.
The American world number four capped a breakout season by winning the US Open last September, and has enjoyed a strong buildup to the first Grand Slam of the year by defending her title at the Auckland warm-up event last weekend.
“Some players’ goal is to win a Grand Slam,” said the 19-year-old.
“Once they reach that, it’s kind of, what’s next?
“For me, I always knew I wanted to win multiple.
“It was kind of easy to forget about it (her US Open win).
“Not ‘forget’, I think that’s the wrong word. Maybe just put it in the past, and look forward to the future instead of dwelling on the past.”
What she does take from her US Open triumph is the knowledge she can go toe-to-toe with the best and come out on top.
Gauff fought back to defeat Belarusian Sabalenka, who is seeded second at Melbourne Park, 2-6 6-3 6-2 in that final at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“For me, the only thing I will try to remember from that Slam is just the way that I won,” she added.
“It wasn’t my best tennis. It was more so the mental fire.
“I think that’s the confidence that I will bring to the Australian Open this year, probably even more Slams for the rest of the season.”
On the technical side, Gauff said she has tweaked her service motion to make her toss more consistent.
“I still have to remind myself of it. I think for the most part I was really open to it,” she added.
“I think my serve is something that, when it’s on, it’s a really big weapon and can get me out of some situations. Just to make it more consistent was the goal.” — Reuters.