Carlos Alcaraz has never won the Australian Open and hopes to play his best tennis at Melbourne Park this year. The young Spanish champion dreams of winning all four Major tournaments at just 21 years old, but it will not be easy for him to lift the trophy on Sunday 26 January.
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The 21-year-old from Murcia is the second favorite for bookmakers behind world number 1 Jannik Sinner, whom he will only be able to face in the final. The 4-time Grand Slam champion does not have an easy path, especially in the second week, where he could face Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals and Alexander Zverev in the semifinals.
The current world number 3 will have to be focused from the first rounds and avoid drops, which have often caused him unexpected defeats in the past. Carlitos played a couple of exhibition matches at Melbourne Park before the tournament began, losing to Alex de Minaur and defeating fellow Australian Alexei Popyrin in straight sets.
Alcaraz is ready
The former world No.1 is using a heavier racket and needs time to get used to it, which is why he has made more unforced errors than usual especially with the backhand. Alcaraz has worked hard during the pre-season, has changed his serve and hopes that the results will already be visible in the next two weeks.
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In an interview with 'Times of India', Australian legend Todd Woodbridge commented on Carlitos' chances at the 2025 AO: He has the flair and finesse of Roger, fitness and movement of Novak, and then the Spanish determination that Rafa had.
He is probably my pick for the Australian Open based on the time hes had to prep. It will be some feat if he was able to win the Australian Open and then have all four majors at such a young age.
This time, he has done a proper pre-season. The Spaniardis so dangerous. Hes the most enjoyable player to watch since Federer.
