NOVAK DJOKOVIC SENDS CARLOS ALCARAZ WARNING AS HE ADDRESSES PROSPECT OF SPANIARD BREAKING HIS RECORDS
Novak Djokovic has predicted that Carlos Alcaraz will complete the career Grand Slam “very soon” as he praised his young rival’s accomplishments.
The Serbian legend also issued a word of caution to the Spaniard over thinking about making history and breaking his records.
Djokovic and Alcaraz are seeded seventh and third respectively at the 2025 Australian Open, and they could face off in a blockbuster quarter-final clash.
Alcaraz, 21, will become the youngest man to win each of the four Grand Slam tournaments if he triumphs at the ongoing Australian Open or either of the following two editions.
His legendary compatriot Rafael Nadal currently holds the record, having completed the career Grand Slam at the age of 24 years and three months when he won the 2010 US Open.
Djokovic, meanwhile, is vying for a record-extending 11th Australian Open title and 25th major in total.
Alcaraz has made no secret of the fact he is targeting Djokovic’s records, with the all-time Grand Slam record a particular focus.
“Obviously, I keep thinking about Nole’s 24 Grand Slams, that’s clear,” Alcaraz admitted in February last year.
“I’m a very ambitious guy and I always want to think big, and I dream big — obviously Djokovic’s 24 is a goal at the end of my career.
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“It is something that is inevitable to think about. I am very competitive and that is also what drives me to the highest level to try to be at the same level as the Big Three. The truth is that I dream big.”
In an interview with GQ, Djokovic addressed the prospect of Alcaraz, who has already won four majors, breaking his records.
“It’s too early. But, you know, people say my records will never be broken. I doubt that. I mean, Carlos could already be the next guy. Even Jannik [Sinner],” the former world No 1 said.
“If they take care of the body, if they do things in a proper way, focus on longevity, focus on the long-term, then they can do it.
“Carlos has done something no one has done in history for such a young age. So the odds are with him. He is going to complete his [career] Slam very soon.
“He’s even said himself, he wants to make history. He wants to be ‘the best in history.’ I respect that kind of mentality of, ‘Hey, I think I got the goods.’ But maybe it’s a little bit early for him to think about history.”
2025-01-13T17:15:41Z