Carlos Alcaraz will soon begin his pursuit of a maiden Australian Open title, as he looks to become the youngest man ever to complete the Career Grand Slam.
The Spaniard has gone all the way at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open twice each, but he has never managed to get his hands on the trophy in Melbourne.
Why do you think Carlos Alcaraz has struggled at the Australian Open in the past?
2021 Australian Open – 1R
2022 Australian Open – 3R
2024 Australian Open – QF
2025 Australian Open – QF
Alcaraz has been given a favourable draw at this year’s Australian Open, in which he can avoid both Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic until the final.
In December, the 22-year-old parted ways with longtime coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, but he showed no signs of regression in an exhibition match against world number six Alex de Minaur on Rod Laver Arena ahead of the first major of the year.
He beat de Minaur 6-3, 6-4, and revealed after the clash that he had been working on one part of his game ‘so much’.
Carlos Alcaraz reacts to his win against Alex de Minaur
In his on-court interview, Alcaraz said: “Everyone is putting in hard work, so you have to be ready for that.
“About myself, I’ve told many times that it’s to remain my focus, not to lose my focus during the matches or even during the tournament.
“Just trying to maintain, make the things off the court better, which, after all, helps you a lot when you step on the court, and you’re giving 100%.
“That’s something I’m working so much on, to be happy, to stay positive all the time. That’s really important for me.”
Alcaraz’s 2025 campaign at the Australian Open ended in the quarterfinals, when he lost to Djokovic in four sets.
Todd Woodbridge analyses Carlos Alcaraz’s performance
Speaking on TNT Sports, former Australian player Todd Woodbridge said of Alcaraz’s match with de Minaur: “It was a pretty impressive match, when you listen to them, they’re pretty relaxed.
“Not too worried about a win or a loss, but when you see what Carlos [Alcaraz] produced, that was incredible.
Carlos Alcaraz would be the greatest youngster ever if he won the 2026 Australian Open – change my mind…
“I’m sitting courtside watching, the speed, the power, the injection of pace, was extraordinary.
“I’m having second thoughts, because I picked Jannik Sinner to go for the three-peat, but from what I watched there, it’s going to be tough for Jannik. But there is so much to play out, of course.”
Sinner is also chasing history at the Australian Open, as he bids to become just the second man in the Open Era to win three consecutive titles in Melbourne, joining Djokovic.
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