Carlos Alcaraz out to dethrone Novak Djokovic at 2024 Australian Open – ‘It’s an extra motivation for me’

Djokovic has won in Melbourne a record 10 times and begins his quest for a 25th Grand Slam title against qualifier Dino Prizmic on day one inside the iconic Rod Laver Arena.

On the other side of the draw, Alcaraz, the second seed, faces French veteran Richard Gasquet in round one.

Alcaraz and Djokovic forged an intriguing rivalry last year. The Serbian won their semi-final encounter at Roland Garros after Alcaraz was struck down by crippling cramp early in the third set before the Spaniard made amends at Wimbledon, landing his second Grand Slam in an epic five-setter.

After that disappointment, Djokovic prevailed in the final two duels of the year, first in a lengthy Cincinnati Masters final and then at the ATP Tour Finals in Turin.

But Alcaraz is eager to snap that streak at the venue where Djokovic has reigned supreme for the best part of 15 years.

“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,” Alcaraz said on the eve of the tournament.

“Obviously it’s a good test, playing against him in the tournament where he’s almost unbeaten. I’m looking to reach the final and hopefully playing a final against him. It would be great obviously.

“But, yeah, knowing those stats, it’s an extra motivation, for sure.”

Djokovic was last in action when he lost for Serbia in the United Cup. The 24-time Grand Slam champion struggled with a wrist issue and was beaten in straight sets by Australia’s Alex de Minaur, later insisting it wasn’t an injury that would hamper his title defence.

Alcaraz last played competitively at the ATP Tour Finals, where he lost 6-3 6-2 to Djokovic. The pair squared off in an exhibition at the end of December, which Alcaraz won, but the Spaniard has opted not to play any warm-up events in preparation for the year’s opening Grand Slam

“I think I’m a guy who doesn’t need so much competition before a big tournament,” Alcaraz added.

“Obviously [it] always helps [but] I think I’m prepared to do a good things here in the Grand Slam.”