Carlos Alcaraz shows true colours in Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer comment
Wimbledon favourite Carlos Alcaraz didn't hold back in his praise of tennis legends Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer at SW19.
Carlos Alcaraz wants to emulate Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer by becoming one of the greatest tennis players of all time. The Spaniard, 21, already has three Grand Slams under his belt, all on different surfaces, and is among the favourites to win a fourth this month.
If he does he'll become just the ninth man to win back-to-back Wimbledon singles titles in the Open Era. Speaking to CNN ahead of his opening round straight sets victory over Mark Lajal on Tuesday, Alcaraz admitted he's dreaming of being considered one of the best in history.
But in order to get there he'll have to maintain the incredible form he's shown over the past couple of years for most of the remainder of his career, just as the legendary 'big three' [Djokovic, Nadal and Federer] did.
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"I was asked what my dream was right now and I said I want to be one of the best in history. I'm dreaming big," Alcaraz said. "I want to sit at the same table as the big three, the legends of our sport.
"If I want to achieve that dream, I'd like to be surrounded by brands and people who share it, who think as big as I do," he added. If I look back, I've achieved great things so far, but that's something I don't want to think about, I want to move forward."
If he truly wants to follow in the footsteps of the big three, Alcaraz will have to become a relentless trophy-hoovering machine. Djokovic, for example, has won a record 24 Grand Slams, and between 2011 and 2023 he won at least two of the four annual majors a whopping seven times.
Victory at SW19 this month would mark Alcaraz's third Grand Slam triumph in the last five tournaments, and given the fact he's the defending champion, the pressure will be on to do just that. That said, Alcaraz says that pressure can be used to his advantage.
"It doesn't really change too much for me [that I'm the defender champion," the youngster said. "It makes it even more special. I'm trying not to think about the pressure I have to defend points or wanting to go far.
"The difference compared to last year is that I'm more mature. I know how to play on grass, I have more experience playing on this surface."
Up next for Alcaraz is a second round clash with Aleksandar Vukic, and victory there would move him onto a tie with either Borna Coric or Frances Tiafoe.
