CARLOS ALCARAZ MARVELS AT NOVAK DJOKOVIC’S GRAND SLAM DOMINANCE AHEAD OF 2024 US OPEN – ‘AN ACT OF BRUTALITY’
Novak Djokovic is looking to extend his Grand Slam record when he enters the 2024 US Open in New York next week. The Serbian has 24 to his name – already more than any other man – and younger rival Carlos Alcaraz believes his own record of four will mean little if he does not get closer to the consistency shown by Djokovic throughout his storied career
Carlos Alcaraz considers Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam dominance “an act of brutality” as the Serbian aims to win a 25th major at the US Open.
The 37-year-old stands on his own in the men’s game with 24, but after winning the French, Australian and US Opens last year, his reputation is still a fearsome one on court.
Djokovic’s first match in New York is on Monday evening against Radu Albot, with the veteran a heavy favourite to get past the Moldovan.
Speaking to the press ahead of the year’s final Grand Slam, Alcaraz was in awe of Djokovic’s longevity at the top of the sport, comparing it with his own relatively brief period of success.
He said: “It is an act of brutality being totally honest. What I can say… I can speak just to myself. I am very happy with my daily work to have the opportunity to win these titles as much as possible.
“I am 21 years-old and I have already won four [Grand Slams] but I am hoping it won’t stop here.
“My task is to keep growing and improving to win as many as possible because that’s my aim. It is what Djokovic has done during his whole career… he always wanted to keep improving when he played these kinds of tournaments, to give his best version.
“That’s what he has always achieved and that’s why a lot of people admire him. Let’s hope he won’t be able to continue winning more titles.
“Let’s wait and see but hopefully we will be able to continue with this path.”
Alcaraz also refused to be drawn into Jannik Sinner’s failed drug test.
Opinion has been mixed over the decision to allow the Italian to continue playing given other players have been banned after failed tests.
The Spaniard suggested that there are details that not all people are aware of, and accepted the decision for Sinner to keep playing.
“It is a very sensitive and serious issue,” he said. “I think there is some info ‘behind’ that a lot of people don’t know, and I include myself because I don’t know.
“It is very difficult to speak about it. He tested positive but there have been some reasons that we don’t know that allowed him to play. There is not much I can say about it.
“At the end, he was innocent, or they consider him innocent, therefore Jannik will play in the tournament and there is not much else to say and won’t be speaking too much else about it.”
Alcaraz plays his first match in New York on Tuesday evening, against Australia’s Li Tu.
