Carlos Alcaraz makes feelings clear about possible confrontation with Novak Djokovic at Miami Open
Carlos Alcaraz is 3-5 against Novak Djokovic and was defeated by the Serb the last time they faced each other.
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Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Danny, The Tennis Letter)
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will be pitted against each other if both of them reach the Miami Open semifinal as they are on the same half of the draw. Alcaraz, ahead of his first-round match in Miami, talked about the possible clash with the Serb.
Djokovic and Alcaraz have faced each other eight times and the former leads the head-to-head record, winning five of the matches. They last met each other in this year’s Australian Open quarterfinal where Alcaraz was denied a chance to claim his first title in the tournament with a four-set defeat.
They would have encountered a couple of more times had both of them progressed to the semifinals of the Qatar Open and Indian Wells. Djokovic was defeated in his opening rounds in the aforementioned events.
We’re in the same part of the draw, so I hope we both reach the semifinals. As I said before, these are the matches that attract tennis fans, because I find every match between us a pleasure to watch. But at the end of the day, it’s a Masters 1000. There are still many rounds to think about in the semifinals.
Carlos Alcaraz said at the Miami Open press conference
The 37-year-old will start his campaign against Rinky Hijikata who beat Hamad Medjedovic in the first round. His clash with the Aussie will be his first match at Miami Gardens since 2019. The 24-time Grand Slam champion is the most successful player in Miami, having won six titles, last winning it in 2016.
Carlos Alcaraz lauds Indian Wells champion Jack Draper
Carlos Alcaraz had arrived at Indian Wells in his bid to claim three consecutive titles in the tournament and become the third ATP player to achieve the feat after Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Jack Draper, however, ruined that plan.
Draper knocked the 21-year-old out of the semifinals and beat Holger Rune in the final to lift the biggest title of his career. The victory also made him a top 10 player for the first time as he now currently stands at the seventh position in the rankings table. Alcaraz, ahead of his Miami Open first match, explained what makes the Brit a tough opponent.
He’s playing great tennis at the moment. He played every point with a lot of quality. To me, the most important thing is that he’s grown physically. That’s key for his mind because now his confidence is even higher. In Indian Wells, he played great tennis. His mental level is good enough to play at the highest level throughout an entire match. I think that makes him a tough opponent.
Carlos Alcaraz said at the press conference
Alcaraz is 3-2 against Draper. He could once again face the 23-year-old if both of them reach the Miami Open final.
Carlos Alcaraz to lock horns with David Goffin
Carlos Alcaraz, the second seed in Miami, will start his campaign in the round of 64 against David Goffin. The former World No.7, before setting up the clash with Alcaraz, beat Aleksandar Vukic in three sets. Alcaraz has met the Belgian veteran twice on the tour. They first clashed in the Australian Open third round which Alcaraz won. But the 34-year-old clinched the win when they met in Astana back in 2022.
Alcaraz is a one-time Miami Open champion. In 2022, he beat Casper Ruud in straight sets to claim the title. The four-time Grand Slam champion had won that title after his semifinal defeat at Indian Wells.
In the next two years, Alcaraz lifted the trophies in the California desert but wasn’t successful in Miami. Alcaraz now will be hoping to emulate his 2022 run at Sunshine Double.
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