Speaking to the press after losing the 2023 ATP Finals semi-final, Carlos Alcaraz talked about what motivates him. After falling to Novak Djokovic, he said beating the Serb was one of his goals that galvanized him. The Spaniard voiced his intention to become the GOAT tennis player and win as many tournaments as possible. His statement met with mixed responses from fans on social media, many trolling him for jumping the gun.
Struggling to find form in the second half of the season, Alcaraz’s woes continued after he lost his first match of the ATP Finals. However, he turned his campaign around with dominating wins to top his round-robin group. In the semi-final, though, he ran into a white-hot Djokovic. The World No.1 trounced the World No.2 6-3, 6-2 in a rare fixture to bring the curtains down on his debut ATP Finals campaign.
In a press conference after the match, Alcaraz discussed his motivation and whether he is still driven to continue improving (via TennisTV). He called himself an ‘ambitious’ person and said he wanted to be the best tennis player. He added that he practices to beat Djokovic and win all tournaments he participates in.
“Of course, [it] is a motivation because I am an ambitious guy and I want to be the best in history. I want to practice with a goal. I want to beat him. I want to win every tournament that I am going to play.”
Alcaraz and Djokovic have separated themselves from the rest of the pack. They pushed each other and exchanged the No.1 rank multiple times before the latter secured the Year-End No.1 spot. The Spaniard has been outspoken about wanting to match up to Djokovic in multiple aspects like ranks and trophies.
Fans react as Carlos Alcaraz says defeating Novak Djokovic is one of his goals
Fans reacted to Carlos Alcaraz saying beating Novak Djokovic is one of his primary motivators. One said the former thinks of the latter as a direct rival. A couple of users said such statements would only motivate the 24-time Grand Slam winner to keep playing.
Need him to keep saying this stuff so Djokovic doesn’t think of retiring soon https://t.co/wBYYaQcsfS
— 🕵🏾♀️ (@wailsout) November 19, 2023
No wonder he keeps thinking of and talking about Djokovic. He definitely sees Djokovic as competition for tennis GOAT.
— SnowQIQ (@Stephinau) November 19, 2023
I wouldn’t even say things like this. Not until Djokovic has retired.
I don’t think these young guys get it. They don’t understand the kind of Dude Novak is.
This kind of comment will keep Novak playing until he is 50.
— BetWithBlev (@BetWithBlev) November 19, 2023
@carlosalcaraz Grow up. You are 20 years of age. Have some respect for @DjokerNole. This great wiped the floor with you. A man who is 16 years your senior 🎾
— Sean (@SeanLiverpool68) November 18, 2023
Some users slammed Alcaraz for prematurely declaring himself to be in the GOAT race. They said he needs to achieve more before making such claims. Many fans also believed that this could lead to lot of burden on the 20-year-old.
He wants to be the best in history?? How can he says this now with 2GS in his telly ?? He should really wait to be around 20GS titles and maybe 32 years old before saying stuff like that.. watch out Carlitos. Ambition is good just when sits on solid foundations
— radikiochef (@radikiochef) November 19, 2023
Novak wasn’t saying this after winning only 2 slams. Alcaraz spent his time after Wimbledon talking about wanting to be number 1 and in Turin dreaming of winning the title 👀 Please talk about wanting to become a GOAT after winning your 28th slam 4 shy of Novak’s total of 32.
— Newday (@Alliswelliswell) November 19, 2023
why he keeps putting pressure on himself
— Younes Yakoubi (@YounesYakoubi5) November 18, 2023
I think Alcaraz needs to relax, take one match at time, get into the habit of winning tournaments, big ones and let the results decide whether he gets included in the best in history. This kind of talk is unnecessary self imposed burden.
— TRV (@mailtrv) November 19, 2023
Son, first you have to win more then 1 trophy to say “I want to be the best in history”.
Novak is probably the best player who had ever played, yet he has never said that sentence.— Dejan Trajković (@Trajkovic017) November 19, 2023
You’re 20 not 5. Live in the present & set goals that can be reviewed & achieved in reasonable time frames. During a tournament – your only goal is to win your next match. That’s how you get to 20 slams.Stop talking & do the work. You’re not a politician on a campaign trail.
— Jayne Jane (@JJayne3) November 19, 2023
@carlosalcaraz it’s still too early in your career to talk about the history.
Relax and start setting up the short term goals. https://t.co/QrJFZbVPHq— Aleksandar Klipić S~1/r2 ⬅️➡️®️GorillaPool.io 🦍🍌 (@DeepDish71) November 19, 2023
However, Alcaraz also found support from certain sections who applauded his mentality. One fan said Djokovic also had the same belief when he was young and he worked hard to make it come true as another called this mentality ‘admirable’.
carlos, I like your mentality. The guy you want to beat had the same mentality one day when no one thought it was possible for him to be . keep striving and improving . the road will be very hard and long but nothing is impossible .
— Mahmoud (@Mahmoud17761) November 18, 2023
I would find it strange if he said anything else than this.
It’s normal to want to be the best, it’s an admirable goal.— Јанко Аћимовић (@JankoAcimovic) November 19, 2023
gracious in defeat while taking it on the chin, not shy away from stating his ambitions while acknowledging he’s got a ton to improve on. Love Charley’s attitude! https://t.co/sNRygsHdAX
— Jgor Hanhaorovich (@xuanli_jgor) November 19, 2023
Yess take this mentality into off season, don’t let anything dim your will and fire. It won’t be easy but never let setbacks waver the inner belief! Charlieeee 💜🔥💜
— toska⁷ (@drvilsi) November 18, 2023
A couple of fans pointed out how the Spaniard is still very young and has found success on which he can build upon.
Carlos Alcaraz has achieved more success than any active player has achieved in the first two years of their careers. He has defeated every top ten player. He can improve his game. He will have much more success.
— Sam Kermani (@CTGR8) November 19, 2023
Phenomenal season overall but he definitely started to fade a bit after Wimbledon. He’s only one year removed from being a teenager and still can’t legally drink stateside or rent a car so he has plenty of time to make the necessary improvements.
— Marco (@Mrey55) November 19, 2023
