Djokovic last won a Grand Slam at the 2023 US Open, beating Daniil Medvedev in the final before enduring his first Slam-less season since 2017 last year.

Djokovic’s younger rival won two Grand Slams in 2024, as Alcaraz won the French Open title, before defending his Wimbledon crown.

At Wimbledon, Alcaraz beat Djokovic in the final for the second year running, as he remained unbeaten against the Serb in Major finals.

Speaking ahead of his return to action at Indian Wells, Alcaraz has shared his thoughts on his rivalry with Djokovic.

Carlos Alcaraz reveals the ‘truth’ about his rivalry with the ‘best’ Novak Djokovic

During an interview with MoluscoTV, Alcaraz was asked for his thoughts on the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

“[Novak] Djokovic is one of the best in the history of tennis,” he said.

“In terms of the numbers, he is the best, he has broken all the records or almost all the records.”

Alcaraz went on to explain what he thinks his rivalry with Djokovic does for the sport.

“The truth is that the times I have faced him have been great games in terms of an incredible level,” he said.

“I said I think that when he and I face each other, I think it’s good for tennis, for people who maybe haven’t seen much tennis to see those matches.

“It makes them maybe get hooked and start watching tennis or even practicing, I think that’s nice.”

The Spaniard also detailed how important the rivalry with Djokovic is to him, as it helps motivate him to compete at the highest level.

“For me Djokovic is one of the players [who makes me want to improve in training],” said Alcaraz.

“How can I be better?

“Tennis evolves, there are changes, and you have to change certain things to keep improving, so as to not be left behind.

“Djokovic is one of those players in my head I think that to be better than I have to improve and when I face him, I try to be a little bit better than the last time to try and beat him.”

Alcaraz lost to Djokovic at the Australian Open in their most recent encounter, as the 21-year-old failed in his quest to complete the Career Grand Slam.

The result saw Djokovic extend his head-to-head advantage over Alcaraz, as he now leads, 5-3.

Carlos Alcaraz says he ‘always thinks he’s going to win’ when playing on the ATP Tour

Alcaraz was also asked about his defeat to Djokovic in the final of the Olympic Games, where he lost in two tiebreakers.

The interviewer questioned whether Alcaraz felt defeated during the latter stages of the match, as the Spaniard explained how he approaches competition.

“I’m the other way around,” he said.

“I always think that I’m going to win at all times, even if I’m losing.”

Alcaraz then used his win over Luca Nardi at the Qatar Open as an example, a match that saw momentum swing back and forth throughout.

“For example, in this match, I was 6-1, 4-1 winning and he [Luca Nardi] turned it around, and in the end, I went on to win the third set,” he said.

“But I had it very controlled and in the end, I mean tennis, two or three points can change the match completely.

“I hold on, I hold on to that, you know, I hold on to that saying.

“I have to keep going because the match can change, it can turn around, and I can end up winning.

“That has happened a thousand times, so at all times, I think that I can turn it around.”

Alcaraz will be keen to return to winning ways when he takes to the court for the Indian Wells tournament, which begins on March 3.