At 21, Carlos Alcaraz is in a wonderful place to change into the youngest proprietor of the Profession Grand Slam. The Spaniard is the youngest winner of three Main crowns, and he’s eyeing on the upcoming Australian Open and attainable tennis glory.
Talking concerning the first Main of the season, Alcaraz admitted it has been his subsequent huge purpose, attempting to finish all 4 Main trophies at such a younger age. If Carlos conquers Melbourne by 2027, he’ll go Rafael Nadal and change into the youngest participant to perform the Profession Grand Slam.
Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2022© Stream screenshot
Alcaraz gained the 2022 US Open, changing into the primary teenager to win a Main trophy since Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard conquered Wimbledon a 12 months later and accomplished half of the Profession Grand Slam path at 20! Carlos stepped in and claimed two Majors this season.
He lifted his first Roland Garros trophy and wrote historical past books because the youngest participant with the title at three Majors. Not stopping there, Alcaraz defended the Wimbledon title, including the fourth Main to his assortment two months after turning 21!
Naturally, Carlos’ subsequent purpose within the Australian Open, and his first quest towards the Profession Grand Slam will probably be in 5 weeks. Alcaraz is 7-3 in Melbourne, reaching the quarter-final this 12 months and focusing on a stronger run in 2025.
— El Partidazo de COPE (@partidazocope) January 13, 2021 Carlos makes a notable Australian Open debut
Apparently, Alcaraz made his first Australian Open look on the Khalifa Worldwide Tennis and Squash Advanced in Doha! The 2021 Australian Open came about in February, and the qualifiers battled in Doha a month earlier. The 17-year-old Spaniard made a reputation for himself.
Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2021© Stream screenshot
Carlos beat Filip Horansky within the first spherical and prevailed over Evgeny Karlovskiy in two tie breaks. A youngster battled towards Hugo Dellien for a spot in the principle draw. He sealed the deal in straight units and entered the primary essential draw at Majors at 17.
Alcaraz confronted Botic van de Zandschulp within the first spherical and scored a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 victory. Thus, he grew to become the youngest Main match winner since Thanasi Kokkinakis in 2014!! Carlos fought properly towards Mikael Ymer within the second spherical earlier than falling in 4 units after over three hours.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 18, 2024 Alcaraz falls to Matteo Berrettini within the 2022 thriller
A 12 months later, the Spaniard returned to Melbourne as world no. 31. Carlos performed properly towards Alejandro Tabilo and Dusan Lajovic to search out himself within the third spherical for the primary time. Alcaraz battled towards Matteo Berrettini and fell after a cracking battle.
The Italian ousted the younger gun 6-2, 7-6, 4-6, 2-6, 7-6 after 4 hours and ten minutes. Carlos claimed the identical variety of factors as his opponent and created extra alternatives on the return. He denied 5 of eight break factors and earned 13 probabilities.
Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open© Stream screenshot
Alcaraz transformed 4, dominating units three and 4 however failing to carry out a comeback. Each gamers wasted an early break likelihood within the decider and served properly till the twelfth recreation. Carlos performed towards a match level, denying it and introducing a deciding tie break.
Matteo dropped the primary level on serve earlier than taking the subsequent six, preserving the strain on the opposite facet. The younger gun skilled a mini-break within the tenth level and located himself in a difficult place at 5-8. Berrettini grabbed two return factors, sealing the deal and celebrating an epic win.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2024 Carlos loses his first quarter-final to Alexander Zverev
The Spaniard missed final 12 months’s Australian Open as a result of harm. He returned this January and superior to the final eight for the primary time. World no. 2 bested Lorenzo Sonego within the second spherical and performed properly within the subsequent two to search out himself within the quarter-final.
Carlos met Alexander Zverev within the semi-final chase and suffered a 6-1, 6-3, 6-7, 6-4 defeat. The German made a flying begin and accomplished the opening two units in 80 minutes for a large increase.
Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2024© Stream screenshot
Flying from all cylinders, Alexander broke within the fourth recreation of the third set and moved 5-2 in entrance! Alcaraz fought again and rattled off three video games, pulling the break again in recreation 9 and increasing the battle. Carlos grabbed the tie break 7-2 for a large comeback.
They traded breaks originally of the fourth set, and Alexander survived deuces at 3-4. Zverev secured a pivotal break within the ninth recreation and sealed the take care of a maintain at 5-4, ending Alcaraz’s marketing campaign.
“I will clinch the Australian Open title sooner or later. I hope I can achieve that in January. However, it will be challenging against Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev and others. They will be eager to place their cards on the table and display everything they have worked on to achieve a good result. It’s essential for me to complete all four Major titles, and I will work hard to achieve that,” Carlos Alcaraz mentioned.
