Carlos Alcaraz, chasing historical past, seeks huge push Down Below
Mumbai: From the messy crimson Parisian grime to the pristine London greens to the jazzy New York concrete, there’s loads of Carlos Alcaraz magic sprinkled over these three main tennis hubs and distinct courts. That in-battle smile, that uplifting forehand, that shock and awe drop shot — the Spanish craftsman and champion has left his mark and picked up titles in his inimitable model.
In Melbourne, although, it’s all been a bit pale. Loads in contrast to Alcaraz.
It’s 2025 and the courts of Melbourne Park nonetheless await being lit up by the spark of this Spanish sensation. That stands at such an oddity with the enormous deeds of the four-time Grand Slam champion at 21. Extra so after final yr, the place Alcaraz picked up a primary French Open title, and a second Wimbledon crown as defending champion (beating Novak Djokovic no much less once more within the ultimate). That, to go together with his 2022 US Open trophy, made him the youngest participant ever to seize Slams throughout all three surfaces.
Which solely means he comes into this yr’s season-opening Slam hoping to interrupt the duck with far larger stakes than earlier than. Go all the way in which on the Australian Open and script extra historical past because the youngest participant ever to finish the profession Grand Slam (successful all 4 majors), pipping his idol Rafael Nadal.
If there was ever an excellent time for Alcaraz to make the large push Down Below, it’s now. If there was ever an excellent time so as to add to his assortment of tattoos — he has inked every of his triumphs within the US Open, Wimbledon and French Open — it’s now.
“I wish to get a tattoo of a kangaroo,” Alcaraz informed Marca in a current interview.
There’s no obvious purpose why this all-court expertise armed with an all-round recreation hasn’t been in a position to stamp his class on the Australian Open. Alcaraz misplaced within the quarter-finals final yr, after a few first week exits previous to that. His most up-to-date losses have come towards two large opponents who could be deadly on their day — Alexander Zverev (2024) and Matteo Berrettini (2022). And over the past couple of years, Alcaraz has been struck down by some unhealthy luck for the curtain raiser.
In 2023, contemporary off turning into a first-time Slam champion on the 2022 US Open, a hamstring challenge prevented him from turning up for the following Slam in Melbourne. In 2024, he did present up however with out his long-term coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. For a participant with an array of strokes who is commonly a bundle of power on court docket, Ferrero’s presence does assist channelise it. Alcaraz had admitted final yr it was “going to be tough to method an enormous event with out him”.
There may be, nonetheless, a little bit of a sample rising with Alcaraz, and in his troubles beginning and ending a season. In 2022 and 2023, Alcaraz, who has 16 ATP titles, received the yr’s first trophy solely as soon as the tour moved to the clay swing. Final yr, he did get a hard-court title at Indian Wells, however that too was greater than two months into the season. As soon as he does get going, it takes quite a bit to cease him. Like his six ATP titles from March to July 2023 and two mid-season Slams in 2024 present. However he additionally does take time to hit that gear, and that’s the place his vulnerability within the season-opening Slam and the unflattering report in it reveals.
His determination to not play any warm-up occasions, one thing many prime gamers are inclined to do, this yr can be fascinating. Alcaraz final competed in one of many ATP tune-in occasions in Melbourne in 2021, when he needed to undergo the qualifying rounds on the Australian Open. Since then, he’s set foot there merely on the again of some exhibition matches.
Round these low-pressure outings, although, the teen has put within the hours by an prolonged pre-season coaching block at house in Murcia and Villena. Some key adjustments in his serve (extra selection) and forehand (extra order) have reportedly been introduced in. Ferrero has prior to now pressured about getting his on-court motion and recreation to be much more constant to go along with the flashy. A contact of consistency to his general season — a second-round exit on the 2024 US Open doesn’t sit effectively there — would additionally add richly to his greatness-achieving promise.
“In 2025, I hope to be a greater participant and (present) extra consistency,” Alcaraz stated.
A greater and deeper begin to the season on the Australian Open would go a good distance in that.
&w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1 "Jannik Sinner avenges French Open last defeat, overwhelms Carlos Alcaraz to clinch maiden Wimbledon title")
