‘This guy lives in another world’: Vukic plots Alcaraz’s Wimbledon downfall (2024)

Aleks Vukic believes he can dethrone defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and is ready to capitalise on any lapse as he plots a titanic upset in a clash set to feature on a Wimbledon’s show court on Wednesday.

The Australian twice came from a break down in the fifth set on Monday, including saving a match point in the 10th game, to defeat Mallorca finalist Sebastian Ofner 6-7 (9-11), 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (10-8) in a near-four-hour slugfest.

Vukic, who reached the semi-finals at Eastbourne last week, fell onto his back in exhilaration after sealing a second-round berth in back-to-back years before high-fiving some particularly vocal and supportive fans.

He is certain to score a court upgrade – probably to centre court or court one – for his rematch with Alcaraz, who he beat in Roland-Garros qualifying four years ago when the Spanish superstar was only 17.

Alcaraz was ranked No.189 at the time, but ascended to No.1 less than two years later after winning the 2022 US Open title. He is now a triple grand slam champion, with the Australian Open the sole major he is yet to conquer.

“I’m sure he wasn’t happy. I saved a match point, and I beat him in three sets there,” Vukic said of Alcaraz.

“I mean, he was a child … [but] there was so much hype around him. There were so many people watching us on that court, and you could tell he had a raw power to him already there.

“It was always going to happen, but back then I wasn’t thinking, ‘Oh, this guy’s going to be No.1 in like 12 to 18 months’. His rise was insane.”

Vukic’s more-recent experience with Alcaraz was hitting with him in Beijing in September last year, where he received a first-hand look at the world No.3’s immense popularity.

“The one thing for me in Beijing ... obviously, he’s a very good tennis player, but it was more how famous he is, and how crazy people are when they see him,” he said.

“[It is amazing] how this one person can draw so many people. I’m just there, I’m on court, and no one knows who I am. He comes on and everyone’s going insane. I’m just like, ‘This guy lives in another world’.”

Vukic has gained increased exposure to the world’s best players in the past two years, with Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Alex Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Taylor Fritz (twice) among his opponents in that time.

The 28-year-old pinched a set off Djokovic at Indian Wells in March and did the same against Fritz in last year’s Atlanta Open final before pushing the American star to two tiebreaks at Eastbourne only a few days ago.

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“I felt like I was a better player than when I played him in Atlanta,” Vukic said. “I felt a lot more comfortable at the back [and that] I don’t have to do something extraordinary. I felt very comfortable within myself to do that, so I took a lot of positives out of that match.”

Alcaraz swept past Estonian qualifier Mark Lajal in a competitive straight-sets victory to begin his title defence.

Also progressing to the second round on Monday in the men’s draw were Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, Casper Ruud – at Australian qualifier Alex Bolt’s expense – Grigor Dimitrov, Tommy Paul and 2021 finalist Matteo Berrettini.

Denis Shapovalov eliminated 19th-seeded Chilean Nicolas Jarry as his comeback gains momentum, with Sebastian Baez, Adrian Mannarino and Mariano Navone the other seeds to depart.

Vukic hopes he can do the same to Alcaraz, and said it was crucial he did not let his rival’s reputation impact his performance.

“I think that’s one of the bigger challenges, but it comes naturally, so you have to fight,” Vukic said.

“It’s an extra thing you have to fight, and you have to fight the doubt that will come, of being able to win, and it’s just a different match in terms of competing and a different type of battle there.

“I think everyone’s beatable. Everyone’s human. If things go my way, if I play well, if I serve well, if he doesn’t have his best day, 100 per cent [I can beat him].”

British legend Andy Murray is yet to decide whether he will play singles on Tuesday, but dual Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka has withdrawn from the women’s event because of a shoulder injury.

Fellow Belarusian Victoria Azarenka pulled out with the same ailment on Monday, while No.22 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova (illness) also removed herself from the draw.

Alexandrova was due to face local hope and 2021 US Open winner Emma Raducanu, who instead disposed of lucky loser Renata Zarazua, 7-6 (7-0), 6-3.

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Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, Jasmine Paolini, Maria Sakkari, Madison Keys and Bianca Andreescu also advanced, but eighth seed Zheng Qinwen and teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva were shock losers.

Marc McGowan is at Wimbledon with the support of Tennis Australia.

Watch Wimbledon 2024 from July 1 live and exclusively free on Nine and 9Now with every match streaming ad-free, live and on demand with centre court in 4K on Stan Sport.