Carlos Alcaraz 'motivated' by Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal's ability to win titles straight after injuries
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ByEurosport
Published 17/03/2023 at 11:28 GMT
Carlos Alcaraz had an injury-riddled start to 2023 which saw him miss the Australian Open in Melbourne. He returned to the ATP tour for the first time since November in February and went on to win the Buenos Aires title. Now in the semi-finals at Indian Wells in California this week, he says he wants to emulate Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic by winning titles straight after returning from injury.
Alcaraz beats Auger-Aliassime to reach semi-final at Indian Wells
Carlos Alcaraz says he has been inspired by how Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal quickly get back to winning titles after suffering injuries.
Alcaraz is through to the semi-finals of Indian Wells after a straight sets win over Felix Auger-Aliassime and will play Jannik Sinner next as the Spaniard bids to win the third Masters title of his career.
Last month, Alcaraz won his first title since last November in Buenos Aires after more than three months out with abdominal and hamstring injuries. At the end of February, he withdrew from Acapulco with a hamstring strain.
Alcaraz says he looks to 22-time Grand Slam champions Djokovic and Nadal for motivation when they return from injury setbacks.
"I look to the big players, Djokovic or Rafa, when they are coming from an injury and probably they have a great percentage to win the tournament after an injury," the 19-year-old told reporters.
"I looked at them a little bit when I was injured, you know, training. They motivated me to play a good game after an injury in the first tournaments.
"I was surprised when I won Buenos Aires, but right now, I'm not surprised at it."
Alcaraz takes on Sinner in the last four in California just six months after beating the Italian in a five-set epic in the US Open quarter-finals en route to winning his maiden Grand Slam title.
Alcaraz and Sinner have played each other four times before with both players winning two matches each. The world No. 2 says Sinner pushes him "to the limit".
"I enjoyed that match [the US Open quarter-final], because I had to be really, really focused in every shot. I had to play my best," Alcaraz said.
"That's why Jannik is such a great player. Not only with great serve, great movements, it is because he pushes the opponent to the limit. Tries to play aggressive with great shots.
"For the opponent it is really tough to be focused mentally and physically during the whole match. That's what I love playing against him, that it pushes me to the limit."
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