Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic has nothing to lose when he faces world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz on Rod Laver Area tonight.
The world No.60 is aware of that is his hardest task but, however he’s ready to struggle.
After his shock victory towards American Tommy Paul within the fourth spherical, Serbian reporters at Melbourne Park requested Kecmanovic which movie character he would liken himself to.
“Rocky is at all times an outsider, and I’ll be needing that for Monday,” Kecmanovic mentioned.
Reminded that Alcaraz had additionally publicly mentioned he was an incredible fan of the Sylvester Stallone film franchise, Kecmanovic quipped:
“There you go, he can hearken to me.”
Sylvester Stallone as Rocky.Credit score: AP
The Spaniard mentioned final week: “Earlier than the match I at all times hearken to Eye of the Tiger, Coronary heart On Hearth. That sort of music motivates me lots,” he mentioned.
Spanish media are additionally taking discover of Kecmanovic’s rise on the Open.
“He identifies himself with Rocky … and he says he’s uninterested in being ranked between 30 and 50 on this planet. He says he needs to achieve the highest 10,” Marca, a sports activities every day, reported on its web site.
It reminded readers Kecmanovic had beforehand recorded a victory towards Stefanos Tsitsipas, was a world junior champion, however later couldn’t make it to Djokovic’s heights.
As, one other Spanish sports activities every day, reported: “Though Laslo Djere and Dusan Lajovic have larger ranks, Misa [Kecmanovic’s nickname] is Djokovic’s pure inheritor.”
Alcaraz and Kecmanovic have solely met as soon as, on the Miami Open in 2022, the place Alcaraz triumphed.