Alcaraz Motivated to Topple Australian Open King Djokovic

Carlos Alcaraz practices at the Australian Open. DAVID GRAY / AFP
Carlos Alcaraz practices at the Australian Open. DAVID GRAY / AFP
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Alcaraz Motivated to Topple Australian Open King Djokovic

Carlos Alcaraz practices at the Australian Open. DAVID GRAY / AFP
Carlos Alcaraz practices at the Australian Open. DAVID GRAY / AFP

Carlos Alcaraz says the challenge of toppling 10-time champion Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open gives him "extra motivation" as he aims to end the Serbian's long reign in Melbourne, AFP reported on Saturday.
The Spanish world number two missed the Grand Slam last year with a leg injury but is seeded to meet Djokovic in the final in Melbourne.
The pair have met five times –- all in semi-finals or finals -– with the veteran leading 3-2.
Djokovic, 36, is unbeaten at the year's opening major since 2018 but Alcaraz, who came out on top in a thrilling Wimbledon final last year, said that only increased his desire to win.
"It's an extra motivation for me," the two-time Grand Slam champion said on Saturday. "I'm an ambitious guy.
"I always want to play against the best players in the world to see what my level is. Obviously it's a good test, playing against him in the places or in the tournament that he's almost unbeaten.
"Yeah, I am looking to reach the final and hopefully playing a final against him. It would be great, obviously."
Alcaraz is aiming to become just the fourth man to win three majors before turning 21 after Rafael Nadal, Bjorn Borg and Mats Wilander.
The 20-year-old chose not play a warm-up tournament before the Australian Open, which starts on Sunday, saying he had to recharge his body and mind.
"We discussed with my team, as well, that we need almost four, five weeks of pre-season to prepare well this season, for the first Grand Slam of the year," he said.
"We have no time if I wanted to play a tournament before the Australian Open. In the end we preferred to come here to the Australian Open, straight to a Grand Slam. I think I'm a guy who doesn't need so much competition before a big tournament."
The Spaniard is in Melbourne without his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, who has had knee surgery. Instead he will be coached by Samuel Lopez, who worked with former world number one Ferrero during his playing career.
Alcaraz admitted losing Ferrero was a blow but said he trusted Lopez.
"I believe in him, Juan Carlos, as well," he said of Lopez. "I think I can learn a lot from him as well. Let's see how is going to be. As I said, I trust him 100 percent."



First Sports Investment Forum Kicks Off in Riyadh

Officials are seen at the launch of the Sports Investment Forum in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the launch of the Sports Investment Forum in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
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First Sports Investment Forum Kicks Off in Riyadh

Officials are seen at the launch of the Sports Investment Forum in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the launch of the Sports Investment Forum in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)

The first edition of the Sports Investment Forum (SIF), sponsored by the Ministries of Sport and Investment, kicked off in Riyadh on Monday with over 140 speakers, more than 3,000 attendees, and 50 sessions and workshops for the three-day event.

Deputy Minister of Sport Badr Al-Qadi, representing Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, expressed appreciation for the Saudi leadership's support of the sports sector, which has contributed to the development of the sports system and its many accomplishments in recent years.

The audience watched a presentation on SIF, which reviewed its objectives and highlighted the most prominent national sports achievements.

Several initiatives related to sports investment were launched, accompanied by the signing of various agreements in real estate development, technology, and sports sector.

One panel session featured Al-Qadi, Deputy Minister of Tourism Princess Haifa bint Mohammed, and Assistant Minister of Investment Ibrahim Al-Mubarak.

Al-Qadi said that achieving the objectives of the National Sports Strategy requires cross-sectoral integration, adding that the sports sector is a strategic partner in driving national development and advancing Saudi sports.

Princess Haifa stressed that the forum is the result of private sector initiatives and aligns closely with the objectives of Vision 2030. She underscored the role of sports in advancing the tourism sector, generating job opportunities and supporting economic growth.

The Kingdom currently attracts approximately 24 million tourists annually to attend sports events and activities, generating around SAR22 billion in spending, she revealed.

Al-Mubarak said the Kingdom has achieved significant milestones across numerous sectors since the launch of Vision 2030, including the sports sector, which demonstrates its promising investment potential.