Carlos Alcaraz aiming for Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam total after French Open victory - 'I just want to keep going'
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Published 09/06/2024 at 22:03 GMT
Carlos Alcaraz is hoping to match Novak Djokovic’s total of 24 Grand Slam victories by the end of his career. The Serbian's 24 titles make him the most successful male player in terms of major titles. Alcaraz, at 21, picked up his third Grand Slam after beating Alexander Zverev at the French Open in an enthralling five-set match in Paris on Sunday.
Alcaraz confirms plan for tattoo on ankle to celebrate 'special' French Open final win
Carlos Alcaraz is hoping to reach Novak Djokovic’s total of 24 Grand Slam victories by the end of his career.
Alcaraz fought back to defeat Alexander Zverev in a five-set French Open final, becoming the youngest man to win Grand Slam titles on all three surfaces after his US Open and Wimbledon successes.
The 21-year-old was full of smiles and humility after his thrilling win over Zverev, confirming that he would soon have this win tattooed on himself as he did with the US Open and Wimbledon.
But despite his humility, he admitted that he hopes to match Djokovic, whose 24 makes him the man with the most Grand Slam singles titles.
“Before facing this final, he (coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero) told me, you're going to fight for your third Grand Slam title, with everything you have been through, and you know the difficult part of winning a Grand Slam, and Djoko has 24,” the Spaniard said.
Alcaraz continued: “So it is unbelievable. Right now I can't think about it. I just want to keep going, and let's see how many Grand Slams I'm gonna take at the end of my career. Hopefully reach the 24, but right now I'm going to enjoy my third one, and let's see in the future.”
Alcaraz joins a number of famous Spanish names in winning the French Open, including Roland-Garros king Rafael Nadal and the young player’s own coach, Ferrero.
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“I mean, winning a Grand Slam is always special,” Alcaraz said.
“Winning your first in every Grand Slam is always super special. But in Roland-Garros, knowing all the Spanish players who have won this tournament and be able to put my name on that amazing list is something unbelievable.
“Something that I dream about being in this position since I started playing tennis, since I was five, six years old. So it's a great, great feeling.”
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Top 5 Shots from the final day of the French Open featuring Alcaraz brilliance
At such a young age, Alcaraz has already accomplished so much. With three Grand Slams and becoming the youngest male to reach world No. 1 at 19 just to name two. But the Murcia-born player ranks his French Open win highest due to the injury and physical load he endured coming into the final.
“Right now lifting the Roland-Garros trophy, knowing everything that I have been through the last month with the injuries and all that stuff, I don't know,” he said.
“Probably this one is the moment that I'm really proud about myself, because of everything that I have done the last month just to be ready for this tournament with my team, a lot of talks with them. You know, if I have to practice, if I can't practice or discuss with them, has been really difficult for me, honestly.
“So I'm going to say this one is the most that I am proud about myself.”
Alcaraz's physical issues were well-documented prior to the tournament in Paris, even having to withdraw from the Italian Open with a forearm injury.
In his semi-final against Jannik Sinner, he picked up a leg injury, something that began to trouble him in his clash with Zverev.
Despite inadequate preparation and physical issues, Alcaraz dug deep to secure the win in four hours and 19 minutes.
"Well, I know that when I'm playing a fifth set you have to give everything and you have to give your heart," he added.
"I mean, in those moments, it's where the top players give their best tennis. So as I said many times, I wanted to be one of the best tennis players in the world, so I have to give an extra in those moments in the fifth set, I have to show the opponent that I am fresh, I'm like we are playing the first game of the match."
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