Carlos Alcaraz is set to go head-to-head with Novak Djokovic in an exciting men’s singles final at the Paris Olympics this Sunday. If the Spaniard manages to defeat the Serbian, he has plans to commemorate the moment in a unique and special way.
Alcaraz was considered the frontrunner for a gold medal even before the Olympics commenced. So far, the four-time Grand Slam champion has handled the weight of these expectations admirably, showcasing exceptional tennis skills.
The semifinal match against Felix Auger Aliassime perfectly exemplified Alcaraz’s prowess. Despite Aliassime’s strong form leading up to the match, he was completely outplayed by Alcaraz’s dominant performance.
Although Alcaraz experienced disappointment in the doubles event alongside Rafael Nadal, their exit from the competition, it was a high-profile affair. The pair made it to the quarterfinals but were ultimately defeated by silver medalists Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram.
This loss may mark the end of Nadal’s illustrious career. The 14-time French Open champion openly admitted that he would only continue playing if he possessed the desire, strength, and motivation to do so.
Nevertheless, Alcaraz cherished every moment of playing alongside Nadal. The 21-year-old revealed that he had private conversations with his legendary compatriot about life, which he intends to keep to himself.
Alcaraz aims to utilize any valuable lessons he learned from Nadal in his upcoming match against Djokovic. Unsurprisingly, he possesses unwavering self-belief and expressed great confidence before his clash with the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
His two victories over Djokovic in Wimbledon finals provide him with a strong foundation for this confidence. In recent statements to the press, Alcaraz shared that he commemorates each major title win with a tattoo.
Following his triumph at the US Open in 2022, he tattooed the date of the victory on his right elbow. His incredible journey to the Wimbledon title in 2023 was celebrated with a strawberry tattoo on his right ankle.
After securing the French Open this year, Alcaraz had the Eiffel Tower and the date of the triumph inked on his left ankle. If he manages to claim Olympic gold, the 21-year-old plans to add another tattoo to his collection. However, he remains fully focused on the challenge that lies ahead.
“If I win on Sunday, we’ll see, but most likely yes. There’s one small step left, a match that’s a big mountain, but if I get it, I’ll do it.”
Alcaraz also shared a humorous anecdote about his parents in relation to his tattoo plans. He reassured them that he would only get a tattoo for the first major title he wins, which is why he did not get one after his second Wimbledon victory.
“I told my parents, just to calm them, that it’s just the first one in every Major.”
Athletes have varying methods of commemorating their greatest accomplishments. Certain individuals may have a strong aversion to getting a permanent tattoo, but Alcaraz, on the other hand, takes delight in adorning his skin with these lasting symbols, and this personal preference holds utmost importance to him.
The highly anticipated Olympic final between Alcaraz and Djokovic promises to be a captivating spectacle. Djokovic has expressed that his knee is in better condition compared to his performance at Wimbledon, indicating that their clash at Roland-Garros is likely to be even more fiercely contested than their encounter at SW19 earlier this year.
Photo by Carlos Alcaraz Instagram