"We are going to try to go round by round": Carlos Alcaraz talks about possible semifinal clash against Novak Djokovic at Qatar Open

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz has revealed what he is looking to do if he will face Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in the Qatar Open. 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 is currently in Doha to feature in the upcoming Qatar Open where he will face Croatia’s Marin Cilic. The reigning world number three is one of the big-name players to play in the competition and it was natural for everyone to look when he can face the former world number one Djokovic in the competition.

The two have developed some rivalry in the recent past and have been involved in some feisty clashes. Their most recent meeting was during the Australian Open quarterfinal, where Djokovic came out on top despite losing the first set and struggling physically. Alcaraz was asked what he would like to do differently if the two met in Doha, which would be in the semifinals. The four-time Grand Slam winner stated that he would like to change a few things and that he has been playing well enough to have the confidence to beat anyone.

"In the end you have to face the best if you want to be among them, so we are going to try to go round by round and give our best until we reach the semi-finals," he said while talking to Spanish media outlet AS. "He also has to see how he is after the injury, although he has been training very well, we will see how the tournament goes. A Grand Slam is different to a 500 and other tournaments, you have to approach it in the same way, perhaps some small changes to things that harmed us. But I think the level I played there was good, so above all I have to maintain it."

Djokovic, who is regarded as the greatest player in the history of men’s tennis in the single category in the Open era, having won as many as 24 Grand Slam titles, will open his campaign in Doha against Italy’s Matteo Berrettini.