‘It’s something I really want’

Carlos Alcaraz is desperate for a rematch with Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon.

Alcaraz is expected to be Djokovic’s main rival at SW19 after winning the Queen’s title but, as the top seed, he can only face the 23-time Grand Slam champion in the final.

The 20-year-old came face to face with Djokovic for the first time at a Grand Slam last month when he suffered defeat in the semi-finals of the French Open.

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It was a gripping contest until Alcaraz was struck down with cramp just after taking the second set to level the match. Although he attempted to continue, he was no match for Djokovic, who secured a 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1 victory.

Alcaraz – who faces retiring Frenchman Jeremy Chardy in the first round on Tuesday – is now eyeing another meeting with Djokovic at the All England Club.

“I would say the pressure that they put to everyone,” said Alcaraz when asked to name the hardest thing about facing Djokovic.

“Not only to me, to everyone to play at their best for three hours in a Grand Slam.

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“I have to deal with that, but it’s something that I really want it. I hope to play a final here against him.”

What impresses Alcaraz most about Djokovic on grass is how he makes things look “really easy”, he added.

“He moves really well. He hits the ball really well, really clearly. He has a clean shot. It’s a mix of everything.

“I would say he doesn’t do anything wrong. He always makes really easy everything. It’s really tough to find some weakness on his game.”

Djokovic has won four successive Wimbledon titles, last losing a match at the tournament in 2017.

The Serbian can equal Roger Federer’s record of eight titles if he is once again successful.

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Of course, he would also move level with Margaret Court at the top of the all-time Grand Slam standings on 24.

But Alcaraz is the current world No. 1 after his victory at Queen’s Club – not that the ranking weighs heavy on his shoulders.

”Well, honestly, I don’t feel too much pressure about being No. 1,” Alcaraz continued.

“I know what I have to do. For me it’s to play, play my best, try to win tournaments. I don’t think about being No. 1 too much. I’m trying to put out all that pressure.”

The Spaniard was also keen to play down concerns about his fitness after some leg problems at Queen’s.

”No, no, I’m feeling great,” he said. “I work this week to try not to feel the pain that I felt in the final of Queen’s. Right now physically I’m feeling great. I feel ready to start Wimbledon.”

Djokovic opens up his campaign against Pablo Cachin on Monday.

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Stream daily highlights from Wimbledon at 10pm UK time, as well as the two singles finals live on July 15 and 16, on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

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