Carlos Alcaraz ‘motivated’ by Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal’s ability to win titles straight after injuries

Carlos Alcaraz says he has been inspired by how Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal quickly get back to winning titles after suffering injuries.

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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