Carlos Alcaraz continues to get ready by training with Novak Djokovic | ATP Tour

Australian Open

Alcaraz continues to get ready by training with Djokovic

The Spaniard completed his second session in Australia

January 07, 2025

Carlos Alcaraz landed this past Sunday night in Melbourne, with his sights set on the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the season and the only one of the four that he does not yet have on his extraordinary resume.

After completing a demanding pre-season between Murcia and Villena, with double daily sessions that included work on the court and in the gym, as well as some substantial changes in his game (on the serve or on the forehand, for example), Alcaraz headed to the Antipodes with his team to continue preparation on Australian territory.

Thus, with no time to lose, the No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings trained on Monday at the Rod Laver Arena with Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, hours after landing in the largest country in Oceania, and on Tuesday he had his first test by fire when he practiced with Novak Djokovic.

It was the fifth time that they both shared training (Madrid, Roland Garros, Paris-Bercy and Nitto ATP Finals in Turin previously). And on this occasion the victory went to Djokovic, who won the training set that both played by a tight 7-5, under the watchful eye of Andy Murray, who is making his debut as the Serbian’s coach in this Australian Open.

Djokovic dominates his Lexus ATP Head2Head series 4-3 against Alcaraz, whom he last beat in the final of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The Spaniard, however, has been able to win both Grand Slam finals that both have played, both at Wimbledon (2023 and 2024).

Alcaraz, who will know his fate in the tournament when the main draw draw is held on Thursday, ended his 2024 season with defeat to Spain in the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga. Then, the Murcian went on vacation for a few days and since then he put 100% of his efforts into having a great preseason, halfway between Murcia and Villena, which would allow him to arrive in a position to fight for everything at the Australian Open.

Although he still has days left to debut (the tournament will begin on Sunday, January 12), Alcaraz has shown signs of being ready for the challenge of winning the fifth Grand Slam of his career, which would allow him to become the youngest tennis player of all. times to close the circle by winning the big four.