Alcaraz is taking on world No 1 Djokovic for the first time in his career in Saturday’s semi-final. The 19-year-old is fresh off his first victory over fellow Spaniard Nadal and will be taking the same stance into his meeting with one of Nadal’s biggest rivals.
Looking ahead to his clash with the top seed after one of the biggest victories of his young career, the four-time title winner said: “One of the best players in history. All that he achieved is incredible. But I’m here.
“It’s my first time facing him but not my first time playing a big Masters 1000 match in a big stadium so I’m gonna enter the match the same way I did today.” The seventh seed needed three attempts to finally get a win over Nadal but will be hoping to down Djokovic at the first time of asking, with Alcaraz now on an eight-match winning streak following his title run in Barcelona.
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The world No 9 was also happy to receive praise from his upcoming opponent, with Djokovic saying he was great “in all fronts” and claimed Alcaraz was “fantastic for our sport.” Responding to the world No 1’s kind words he said: “I feel good to hear that, that the best say good words to you.
“I don’t take that responsibility to do good results, to win every match. Just feels great to hear that, but, I mean, I know that I played well, that I’m playing well in this tournament, but I don’t think that I have to win every match, that I have to win all the tournaments. Just focus on every match, on every tournament, and focus on the work.”
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