Carlos Alcaraz admits he would prefer 'dream' gold at Paris Olympics over Grand Slam in 2024
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ByOli Gent
Updated 20/03/2024 at 16:12 GMT
Speaking ahead of the Argentina Open, Carlos Alcaraz has admitted that he would rather win a gold medal at this year's Olympic Games than a Grand Slam title. Alcaraz, who is seeded first at the ATP 250 event, also identified Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner as his closest rivals for tennis' top honours. The world No. 2 has a bye straight into the last 16 of the event in Buenos Aires.
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Carlos Alcaraz has admitted that he would rather win gold at this year’s Paris Olympic Games than land another Grand Slam title in 2024.
The Spaniard, who was surprisingly beaten in the Australian Open quarter-finals by Alexander Zverev, is currently preparing for the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires.
With Alcaraz set to make his bow at this year’s Olympic tennis event in Paris, the 20-year-old was quizzed as to what he would prefer to win - Olympic gold or a major title.
“I would say the Olympic title,” Alcaraz admitted.
“For me, it is a dream to bring a medal to my country, to Spain, and winning gold is one of the greatest things that can happen to you in the world of sport in general.
“This year, if you gave me a choice, I would say that I will keep the Olympic gold... although I would like to win both.”
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Alcaraz is seeded first at the Argentina Open and has a bye into the last 16, where he will play either Juan Pablo Varillas or qualifier Camilo Ugo Carabelli.
The world No. 2, speaking at a pre-tournament press conference, talked about his vision for the coming months and said he was motivated to "get closer" to the 'Big Three' of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
“I am a boy who dreams big,” Alcaraz said. “I am very ambitious and I target the best in the world and the best in history.
“That's what motivates me to give my 100% day to day and to go to the tournaments to be able to win them.
“I'm a very competitive, very ambitious guy. I always want to win everything, it is what drives me to continue training at my highest level, to continue going to the tournaments with a lot of desire to get more titles.
“Seeing Djokovic up there, the players who are winning titles now, is something that motivates me to be at the same level as them. Also speaking of the 'Big Three', it motivates me to get closer to them.”
The defending Wimbledon champion identified Jannik Sinner, who won a maiden Grand Slam in Melbourne last month, and Djokovic as the two players that will run him closest in major tournaments.
“I think Djokovic and Sinner are the rivals to beat,” Alcaraz said.
“There is no doubt, both for me and for everyone. Zverev also has the winning head-to-head against me, he is a rival that I have very much in mind, but I do think that Djokovic and Sinner are at the top right now.
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