Carlos Alcaraz makes his feelings known on facing Novak Djokovic in Australian Open blockbuster

After Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open thanks to Jack Draper retiring from their match while Alcaraz was up 2-0, the Spaniard participated in the customary post-match press conference. The Spaniard was asked many questions, the most pressing of which was the likely matchup with Novak Djokovic, who was set to play a little later.

Djokovic was facing Lehecka, and in the meantime bested him in three sets, ensuring that Alcaraz would face him in the quarterfinals, making his comments on the matchup even more relevant.

The Spaniard was asked whether he thinks about the long list of achievements Djokovic amassed during his career when they're playing, and he was rather open in acknowledging that he doesn't think about it.

"I'm trying not to think about that. If I think about everything he has done in tennis, I couldn't play. I mean, 24 Grand Slams, the most weeks as number one—he has almost broken every record in tennis.I try not to think about that and just focus on beating him," Carlos Alcaraz said.

The upcoming Australian Open quarterfinal clash isn't the first time the two will face each other. Alcaraz has already beaten Djokovic and knows it's possible to do so again. His approach is to remind himself of that.

"I know my weapons, that I'm able to play good tennis against him, that I'm able to beat him, so that's all I'm thinking about. Every player or the best players think when they're facing Novak. Just playing and believing in themselves."

This rivalry is not dissimilar to the one between Jannik Sinner and Djokovic, though some interesting things aren't present in the other. For one, Djokovic has had much more success in this one compared to the other.

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Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz rivalry

For the most part, Jannik Sinner has dominated the Serbian in the past year, which isn't the case for Carlos Alcaraz. Of the last four matches they played, Novak Djokovic won three, including the high-stakes one in the Paris Olympics final.

Alcaraz has never faced Djokovic at the Australian Open. However, considering the rivalry's recent developments and Djokovic's performance at the event historically, it could be a rather complicated match, even though many would agree that Alcaraz is the favorite.

It should be a very entertaining match and will factor greatly in both players' legacies, especially for Djokovic, who isn't expected to win that many Grand Slams in the future.