Carlos Alcaraz, on the next chapter of his rivalry with Novak Djokovic: "He will go for the four Grand Slams in 2024, but I will try to stop him"

After a long season full of historic moments for him, Carlos Alcaraz is preparing to close 2023 with an exhibition that he will play this morning (at 03:30 am, Spanish time) in Mexico against Tommy Paul.

The world No. 2 has spoken in remarks ahead of the friendly match against American Paul about his rivalry with Novak Djokovic. "He has shown that he is more than ready to win all four Grand Slams in 2024, but I am here to try to stop him. Me and the rest of the great players who are qualified to go and beat him," he said at the press conference held in Mexico.

In 2023, the two tennis stars have faced each other a total of four times, leaving completely apotheosic clashes. The most memorable was Alcaraz's triumph over the Serb in the Wimbledon final, which gave him his second Grand Slam title.

They had previously met in the Roland Garros semifinals, which the world No. 1 was to win in four sets after Carlos Alcaraz pulled a calf muscle at the start of the third set. Subsequently, Novak Djokovic was also to beat Alcaraz in the Cincinnati Open final, one of the most memorable in Masters 1000 history. Finally, at the ATP Finals, the Serb would beat the Spaniard one last time in the semifinal match, which would allow him to play the final against Jannik Sinner, whom Djokovic was also to beat.

It is clear that 2023 has been an intense year in the new rivalry forged between the No. 1 and No. 2 ATP Rankings. For 2024, Carlos Alcaraz has high expectations and hopes that the next chapters of his head-to-head with Novak Djokovic will be just as historic, if not more so.