MADRID — Barbora Krejcikova’s Wimbledon title defence ended in a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 loss to Emma Navarro, while Carlos Alcaraz said he’d rather win his first Australian Open than defend his French and US Open crowns next year.
The 22-year-old Spaniard, speaking on Spanish sports radio show El Partidazo de Cope, said lifting the trophy at Melbourne Park has become a priority, with quarterfinals in 2024 and 2025 his deepest runs at the season’s first major.
“In 2026 I’d rather win Australia alone than win two repeated Grand Slams,” Alcaraz said.
“I’m far from being the best player in tennis or overall, because there are still many players who can beat me and I’ve lost to many players. I’m not the best, despite the ranking showing that I am,” Alcaraz added according to Reuters.
Alcaraz was beaten 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 by Novak Djokovic in a gladiatorial quarterfinal on Rod Laver Arena but the Serb retired injured in the semis and will remain in the hunt for a record 25th Grand Slam and an 11th Australian Open in January.
The six-time Grand Slam champion added that surpassing Djokovic’s men’s Grand Slam record was a long-term ambition.
“I’d sign for 23 Grand Slams without thinking twice, right now. I want to be the one who wins the most, I want to surpass Djokovic, but 23? that’s no joke,” Alcaraz said.
“That’s a goal for the end of my career: to see that I can sit at that table with Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Djokovic, and that people also think I deserve to sit at their table at the end of my career.”
Alcaraz, who also finished 2022 as No 1, has enjoyed the best season of his career, reaching three Grand Slam finals, beating Jannik Sinner to win the French Open and US Open while losing to his Italian rival in the Wimbledon decider.
Krejcikova, meanwhile, appeared to be struggling with injury in the closing stages and wept on Court One as Navarro took advantage to cause the latest upset in the women’s tournament following the exits of five of the top six seeds.
The 29-year-old had to fight back from a set down to beat rising star Alexandra Eala in the first round before another tense three-set win over Caroline Dolehide in the second round.
“It was really tough out here. Probably neither of us played our best tennis. I know she was dealing with some injuries at times and I was dealing with whatever I was dealing with over there,” Navarro said according to AFP.
“Part of you is telling yourself to just put a bunch of balls into the court and that’s all you have to do but she is an amazing player, injuries or no injuries. Not an easy challenge for sure.”
Krejcikova arrived at Wimbledon with just six matches under her belt in an injury-ravaged 2025.
The two-time Grand Slam champion has endured a difficult time since defeating Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the Wimbledon final last year.
She was out of action until May after suffering a back injury and lost in the second round of the French Open.
Krejcikova also pulled out of the recent Eastbourne Open before the quarter-finals with a thigh problem.
The world number 16 had relished being back on the hallowed turf of the All England Club, describing her first-round match on Centre Court as like “playing in the temple of tennis”.
Initially it seemed she would be equally inspired on Court One as Krejcikova strolled through the first set.
But the Czech lost her rhythm in the second set and Navarro pounced to level the match.
Krejcikova took a lengthy spell off-court to compose herself before the decider, but she quickly squandered five break points and then dropped her own serve in the third game.
Leaning on her racquet with a concerned grimace after another unforced error, Krejcikova looked less than fully fit.
