New three-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz asked if matching Djokovic’s 24 Slams is possible.
Carlos Alcaraz says it is still too early to think about catching Novak Djokovic’s all-time Grand Slam but acknowledges that he would definitely have nothing against pulling off that astonishing feat.
Alcaraz, who turned 21 in early May, lifted his third Grand Slam title on Sunday after beating Alexander Zverev 6-3 2-6 5-7 6-1 6-2 in the French Open final. Previously, Alcaraz became a Grand Slam champion at the 2022 US Open and his second Slam win came at last year’s Wimbledon.
While Alcaraz is off to a great start to his career and already has three Grand Slams, he is still 21 Slams away from tying Djokovic’s all-time record of 24 Slam wins. However, since Alcaraz is very young and tipped by many to be a dominant and strong force for the next decade, some think the Spaniard has a chance at emulating or at least coming close to the Grand Slam numbers of the Big Three.
And after his latest Slam win, Alcaraz was asked about the possibility of reaching Djokovic’s Slam numbers.
“I don’t know, I hope so,” Alcaraz responded.
“Well, I talked to Juan Carlos [Ferrero, his coach] yesterday. Before facing this final, he 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.
“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 mentions a Wimbledon final win over Djokovic as one of his proudest achievements
When Alcaraz defeated Casper Ruud in the 2022 US Open final, he became a Grand Slam champion at 19 but also secured the world No. 1 ranking for the first time in his career.
When Alcaraz stunned Djokovic in last year’s Wimbledon final, he became the first player since 2018 to beat the Serb at Wimbledon and he also prevented the seven-time Wimbledon champion from winning his fifth consecutive title at The Championships.
Asked to name his proudest accomplishments, Alcaraz mentioned his first Slam title and becoming the world No. 1 for the first time, and also his 2023 Wimbledon final win over Djokovic.
“That’s a difficult question. I mean obviously the US Open when I reached for the first time the No. 1 something that I dreamed since I started playing tennis getting my first Grand Slam, so it’s pretty special. But honestly the way that I won Wimbledon beating Novak Djokovic in five sets it’s been a great achievement for me.” Alcaraz said.
“And right now lifting the Roland Garros trophy knowing everything that I’ve been through the last month with the injuries and all that stuff. I don’t know probably this one is the moment that I really proud about myself because everything that I’ve 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 all that discuss with them, it’s been really difficult for me honestly. So I’m gonna say this one is the most that I’m proud about myself.”
Alcaraz on why winning the French Open was something special
Growing up, Alcaraz idolized and looked up to Rafael Nadal, who is a record 14-time French Open champion and the absolute king at Roland Garros. Also, Alcaraz’s coach Juan Carlos Ferrero’s lone Grand Slam win came at the 2003 French Open.
Over the years and tennis history, the French Open has been a favorite Slam spot for Spanish tennis players. With that being said, it meant a lot to Alcaraz to join a great list of Spanish tennis players who have won it all at Roland Garros.
“Winning a Grand Slam is always special. 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 being able to put my name on that amazing list is something unbelievable,” Alcaraz said.
“[It is] something that I dreamed about being in this position since I started playing tennis, since I was five, six years old. So it’s a great, great feeling.”
For Alcaraz, there won’t be much time to rest since he is scheduled to defend his title at the Queen’s Club next week before going to Wimbledon also as the defending champion.