Novak Djokovic has backed Carlos Alcaraz to surpass arguably one of his hardest records to break. Back in 2011, the Serbian superstar started the tennis season on an incredible 41-match unbeaten streak, which finally came to an end in the French Open semi-finals in June. Alcaraz is now on a 13-match winning streak to start the year, lifting trophies at the Australian Open and Qatar Open before coming through his opening match in Indian Wells.

The 22-year-old would love to outdo Djokovic, but he’s openly admitted it will be very difficult to achieve. However, the 24-time Grand Slam champion believes his young rival has exactly what it takes to keep winning as the season goes on, even if it means he’ll lose his record.

Ahead of his opening match in Indian Wells, Alcaraz reflected on the challenge of winning more than 41 in a row. “Obviously, I know that 41, Novak holds the record. I’m gonna say you don’t realise how difficult it is until you’re chasing that, because, you know, all right, 41, it’s not that much, but then you’re like 12 on, it’s like, s***, it’s like four or five more tournaments, the biggest tournaments in the world. You realise and you feel like how impressive it is,” he smiled.

And his comments caught Djokovic’s attention, as the world No. 3 bigged up Alcaraz’s chances of going unbeaten for a long stretch. “I saw his answer. He can do it. He has everything that you need to have in terms of the game, in terms of the adaptability to different surfaces, and level of fitness and recovery that he has shown and matured over the years,” Djokovic declared.

The 38-year-old knows better than anyone what it takes to put together a dominant winning streak and warned Alcaraz that it would be demanding, but he still hopes the world No. 1 plays on his confidence and stays unbeaten.

Djokovic added: “He needs to keep his body healthy. If he keeps his body healthy, I mean, he’s so good that he can win any tournament he plays on. So you never know. He’s been doing some historic things in our sport from such a young age. But yeah, I mean, winning 40-plus matches, and I have had a couple other runs, as well, at the beginning of different seasons, where I had 25-plus, I think, twice, it’s demanding.

“But, you know, at the same time, it feels when you are winning so much and you’re riding that wave, you know, you don’t want to let go of that wave. You want to surf on that wave as long as you can, because the level of confidence is really high, and obviously when you lose first time, that is a bit shaken up.

“But as long as you’re winning, you feel like each match you feel stronger, in a sense, if I can reflect or recall my feelings that I had during that time. Yeah, I wish him many more victories. I think he’s great for our sport, and what he’s been doing is remarkable.”

Alcaraz’s winning streak may well come at a cost. The Spaniard beat Djokovic in the Australian Open final at the beginning of the season, and they’re on a collision course in Indian Wells, where they could meet in the semi-finals. If they both get there, Alcaraz will have to take Djokovic out again to remain unbeaten.

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