“I’m looking for reaching the final and hopefully playing against Djokovic” – Alcaraz excited as he returns to Australian Open after two years
After missing the Australian Open in 2023, the Spaniard is back in Melbourne without coach Juan Carlos Ferrero by his side
Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 Australian Open
World No 2 Carlos Alcaraz is back in Melbourne for the first time in two years after missing the Australian Open in 2023 due to injury.
The Spaniard has not played a warm-up tournament heading into the first Grand Slam of the new season and is excited to get on court for his first match of the season.
“I’m still exciting about this year. I hope it’s going to be as good as the 2023 (smiling). Prepared really, really well at the start. We are going to start with this tournament. I think I did a good preparation coming to this year,” Alcaraz told the media in Melbourne on Saturday. “I think right now we have to improve with the things that I didn’t do well last year, for example, and try to be better with my team and myself obviously. I think this year, it’s going to be a good one (smiling).”
“It’s going to be difficult to approach a big tournament without him” – ALCARAZ ON MISSING COACH FERRERO
The biggest favourite at the Australian Open is 10-time champion Novak Djokovic. Alcaraz defeated the Serb in a thrilling Wimbledon final but Djokovic won three of their other clashes in 2023, including at the season-ending ATP Finals in November – something which is giving Alcaraz more motivation to go head-to-head with the world’s best.
“It’s an extra motivation for me. I’m an ambitious guy. I always want to play against the best players in the world to see what is my level. Obviously, it’s a good test, playing against him in the places or in the tournament that he’s almost unbeaten,” Alcaraz said. “I am looking for reaching the final and hopefully playing a final against him. It would be great obviously. But, knowing those stats, it’s an extra motivation, for sure.”
Alcaraz will be without Juan Carlos Ferrero in Melbourne this year, the first time that his long-time coach won’t be by his side.
“It’s tough not being with him. Obviously, he travel almost 100% of the tournaments. Probably he miss just one or two last year. It’s going to be difficult to approach a big tournament without him,” Alcaraz said. “I have Sam with me that is a great coach as well. He was coach of Juan Carlos when he was playing. I trust him. I believe in him. Juan Carlos, as well. I think I can learn a lot from him, as well. Let’s see how is going to be. As I said, I trust him 100%.”
