Carlos Alcaraz shares lofty ambitions, eyes playing Novak Djokovic at 100% - ‘Want to be like the Big Three’

ByEurosport

Updated 29/03/2023 at 14:23 GMT

Carlos Alcaraz is a man with ambition. Speaking at the 2023 Miami Open he said that he wants to get to the same level as the Big Three of tennis, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, as for him they are the benchmark for the rest of his career, despite already having won a Grand Slam before turning 20 years of age. He also wants to face Djokovic at "100%".

'We're seeing a new, higher level of tennis' - Evert on Alcaraz brilliance

World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz has outlined lofty ambitions for his career, saying that reaching the levels of the 'Big Three' is his benchmark.

Alcaraz has enjoyed a meteoric rise in tennis, triumphing at the 2022 US Open as a teenager and is now just ahead of Novak Djokovic in the world rankings.

And the young Spaniard has revealed that the Serbian, Roger Federer and his own compatriot Rafael Nadal are the benchmark by which he is measuring his career.

ATP Rome

Are Nadal, Alcaraz, Djokovic playing Italian Open? When does it start?

Yesterday at 10:50

“At the US Open I fulfilled my dream of being a Grand Slam winner and No 1, but I am a very ambitious boy who constantly sets goals," Alcaraz said.

"Right now, my big challenge is to be one of the best in history.

“It may sound crazy, but I want to be like the Big Three and that is what motivates me to give the best of myself.”

Of Djokovic, he said that he would love to again be given the chance to play against the Serbian star when he is fully fit.

“I have played against Novak when he was at 100 percent. I would say in Madrid [last year] he played really, really well. So it was close," Alcaraz continued.

“I agree with him [on recent comments Djokovic made to The National about being the best]. When he’s 100 percent, probably he’s one of, or the best player in the world.

“What Novak has achieved, the level of Novak, for example, in Australia was unbelievable and really high.

"As I said before, I really want to play against Novak when he’s 100% and I’m sure I’m going to enjoy it. That’s all I can say right now.”

Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain pose for a photo ahead of their Men's Singles Semi-finals match during day ten of Mutua Madrid Open at La Caja Magica on May 07, 2022 in Madrid, Spain

Image credit: Getty Images

Alcaraz will face Taylor Fritz in the quarter-finals of the Miami Open on Thursday morning UK time.

- -

Stream the 2023 French Open live on Eurosport and discovery+

ATP Madrid