"I hope I can": Carlos Alcaraz wants to play till 38 like Novak Djokovic

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz has expressed his desire to play at the highest level till the age of 38. The 21-year-old is regarded as one of the best players currently playing in men’s tennis in the singles category, along with the likes of Italy’s Jannik Sinner.

Alcaraz’s most recent appearance was in the Qatar Open, where he was knocked out after losing in the quarterfinal to Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka with a score of 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. The young Spaniard was asked during the competition whether he would like to play till the age of 37 or 38, just like Serbia’s Novak Djokovic. In response to that, the former world number one stated that he hoped to do that, but right now, his focus is on the next five years.

“I hope I can last like them [Djokovic and others], still playing well at 37 or 38,” said Alcaraz. “For now, I’m focused on the next 5 years, gradually taking care of my body and game to endure like them.”

Alcaraz is going through a bit of a difficult phase. He finished the last season on a rather poor note as well, despite winning two out of the four Grand Slams. It was because of this reason he ended the season as the world number three, more than 1,000 rating points behind Sinner, who finished on the top of the ladder.

His start to the 2025 season has not been a great one. The former world number one participated in the Australian Open, where he was knocked out of the competition after losing in the quarterfinal to Serbia’s legendary tennis star Novak Djokovic with a score of 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4. The four-time Grand Slam winner’s only impressive performance this season came in an ATP event in Rotterdam, where he lifted the title after beating Australia’s Alex de Minaur in the final with a score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.