By Louise Belcourt
ALCARAZ defeated BORGES
Carlos Alcaraz was not giving away any secrets as he muscled his way into the fourth round of the Australian Open.
On a windy day inside Rod Laver Arena, world number 3 Carlos Alcaraz was able to subdue Nuno Borges 6-2, 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-2.
The match started off in a buoyant mood with a young boy tossing the coin and being so delighted that his idol Alcaraz chose the correct coin side that he jumped up and down, then proceeded to skip all the way off the court (https://www.theroar.com.au/tennis/video/watch-hotshots-kids-reaction-to-tossing-coin-for-alcaraz-is-the-most-wholesome-thing-youll-see-today-1404827).
Alcaraz kept up that energy, sailing through the first two sets. The third set he let slip in the tie-break with several unforced errors. In the fourth set, the Portuguese player could only watch in admiration at the Spaniard’s brilliant ball striking.
Alcaraz brought the Melbourne crowd to their feet with his dazzling array of shots – from deft drop shots and backhand overhead smashes to between-the-legs winners and sublime defensive plays that he transformed into attacks.
In his on-court interview Alcaraz explained his entertaining style of tennis, “I’m trying to play different tennis, showing different kind of shots. That’s what makes me enjoy playing tennis. That’s what makes me smile on court. And help me to show really good tennis. And try to entertain the people as well, making them happy watching my matches.”
Asked about the secret of the food he eats before and during the match, Alcaraz responded “Well, before the match, I have my stuff, my secret stuff, which I’m not gonna say anything about it (smiling).” He continued, “I’m taking Spanish omelette, and my thing before the match, few hours before the match, and during the match.”
This year’s Australian Open has seen numerous teenagers announce themselves on the tennis stage, including Brazilian Joao Fonseca, American Learner Tien and Czech Jakub Mensik. Having been the youngest world number 1 (19 years 7 months), Alcaraz was not revealing too much when asked about any advice he would give them “Not beat me, I guess. I don’t know. I see them, you know, capable of beating anyone, including myself. So, I mean, they have the level.”
Up next for the four-time grand slam winner is Britain’s Jack Draper. For Draper, the task will be made even harder by the fact he is the only player to have won three five-set matches in a row. The last two wins came against Aussies in front of raucous home crowds.
Draper admitted of playing Alcaraz “I need to be brave in the way I play, but I’m expecting him to come out and know that I’ve played three five-setters and know that he’s got a battle on his hands, and he’s going to have to play good. It will be a great contest, I’m sure.”
There’s been a lot of buzz around the tennis world as Alcaraz attempts to be the youngest player to ever win a career grand slam at this year’s Australian Open, after winning the French and Wimbledon last year, and the US Open in 2022.
One secret Carlos did give away, was that he will be getting a kangaroo tattoo if he wins the Australian Open. This would join the three tattoos commemorating his Grand Slam victories: the 2022 US Open date, a strawberry for Wimbledon 2023 and 2024, and an Eiffel Tower for the French Open 2024.
I must admit, while Alcaraz’s tennis was impressive, I was even more struck by the kindness he showed his fans. Surprisingly, Alcaraz invited John, the enthusiastic young boy who had performed the coin toss, to join his press conference and spend time with him. You could see the young Melbourne lad beaming from ear to ear. But what was just as endearing was the huge smile that Alcaraz displayed whenever he looked at John.
How lucky are we as tennis fans, to witness not just a great champion on the court, but also a generous and compassionate champion off it.
So, in just over a week will we see a kangaroo on Alcaraz?
(Louise Belcourt is our long time Australian correspondent.)
Carlos Alcaraz · Nike · Spain
