"Extra motivation for me" - 'Ambitious' Carlos Alcaraz shows no fear ahead of potential final against Novak Djokovic at Australian Open 2024

Carlos Alcaraz will have to reach the final of the 2024 Australian Open should he want to face off against defending champion Novak Djokovic in Melbourne this month, and that is precisely what the Spaniard is hoping to do.

Djokovic and Alcaraz are the top two seeds at the season's first Grand Slam, and take on qualifier Dino Prizmic and veteran Richard Gasquet in their respective openers. From there on, five more wins each will pit them against one another in the summit clash, where the Serb would be looking to win his 11th Australian Open title and Alcaraz his first.

Speaking at his pre-tournament press conference, Carlos Alcaraz was asked what he thought of his chances should he come face-to-face against Novak Djokovic on a court that he has made his own over the years.

Not one to be scared of such accolades, Alcaraz proclaimed that it only gave him an "extra motivation" to take on the World No. 1 and see where his level was when compared to one of the best players in the world.

Referring to himself as an "ambitious" guy, Alcaraz made it known that he wanted to reach the final in Melbourne and get the opportunity to test his mettle against the 24-time Grand Slam champion soon.

"Yeah, I mean, it's an extra motivation for me. I'm an ambitious guy. I always want to play against the best players in the world to see what is my level. Obviously it's a good test, playing against him in the places or in the tournament that he's almost unbeaten," Carlos Alcaraz said.

"Yeah, I looking for reaching the final and hopefully playing a final against him. It would be great obviously. But, yeah, knowing those stats, it's an extra motivation, for sure," he added.

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"It's going to be difficult to approach a big tournament without him" - Carlos Alcaraz on his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero's absence at Australian Open 2024

2024 Australian Open: Previews

Carlos Alcaraz, who missed last year's Australian Open due to injury, will be without the services of his head coach Juan Carlos Ferrero at this year's edition. The former World No. 1 underwent a knee surgery recently and is currently in rehab for the same, which prevented him from taking a long flight to Australia.

At the press conference, Alcaraz admitted that it will be "difficult" for him to be without Ferrero at a big tournament, but did not think it was something unmanageable. Instead, he will benefit from the advice of Samuel Lopez, who used to coach Juan Carlos Ferrero during his playing days.

Alcaraz looked forward to learning a lot from Lopez and made it clear that he trusted his new mentor "100%."

"Well, it's tough not being with him. Obviously he travel almost 100% of the tournaments. Probably he miss just one or two last year. It's going to be difficult to approach a big tournament without him," Carlos Alcaraz said.

"I have Sam with me that is a great coach as well. He was coach of Juan Carlos when he was playing. I trust him. I believe in him. Juan Carlos, as well. I mean, I think I can learn a lot from him, as well. Let's see how is going to be. As I said, I trust him 100%," he added.