Carlos Alcaraz will be raring to face Novak Djokovic for just the second time this year when they meet later this week in the US Open semi-finals.
It is always one of the most highly anticipated clashes when these two are drawn against one another.
After all, they have already shared some legendary clashes over the years, with the gulf in age having no impact on the level they both bring to the court.
The tennis world will come to a standstill on Friday evening, hoping to enjoy yet another spectacle between these two titans of the sport.
Djokovic has already spoken about how he’s feeling about facing Alcaraz again, and now, it’s Carlos Alcaraz’s turn to preview the showdown.
Carlos Alcaraz aiming to get revenge over Novak Djokovic
Speaking at his press conference after brushing aside Jiri Lehecka, he was asked to preview his upcoming semi-final before his opponent had even been decided.
Keen not to disrespect Taylor Fritz given the question focused on Novak Djokovic, he began by stating: “Well, I mean, he has a really difficult match to play before, so I don’t want to talk or have an early talk about my opponent on Friday, it is a really good match to watch, Novak against Fritz. Both are playing great. So I’m going to watch it.
“I mean, both are playing great.”
However, then asked to expand on what makes Djokovic so dangerous, Alcaraz continued: “Novak, we all know Novak’s game. It doesn’t matter that he has been out of the tour since Wimbledon; he’s playing great matches here. I know he’s hungry, I know his ambition for more.
“So let’s say, I know he and I played a lot of times against him. I really want revenge. That’s obvious.”
Carlos Alcaraz’s crushing loss in the Olympics final
Whilst losing in the Australian Open will have hurt Alcaraz, it was his defeat in the Olympics final that truly devastated him.
After all, he was so close to ultimate glory, winning an event that only comes around once every four years.
Losing in straight sets, both of which came in tiebreaks, it was an intense affair that was decided by a few crucial points here and there.
In the end, losing such a tight clash proved too much for the Spaniard, who broke down in tears afterwards in a showing of emotion we have seldom seen from someone so successful.
A win over Djokovic on Friday, on his way to the US Open title, would certainly go a long way towards helping heal those old wounds.
