Carlos Alcaraz’s quest for a seventh Grand Slam title, and a first in Melbourne, goes on.
However, he faces his toughest task of the tournament so far next, with Tommy Paul seeking to cut short his run at the Round of 16 stage.
The affable American is a solid all-court threat who does boast two wins on hard courts over the world number one.
It will take everything he’s got to stop the rampaging Spaniard though, who has made it extremely clear just how badly he wants the Australian Open title this year.
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
Carlos Alcaraz has so much time on his hands, but when it comes to the career Grand Slam, this marks his penultimate chance at creating Open Era history.
Ironically, he has recently spoken about his long-term future within the sport, theorising when he might retire in the wake of Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils’ announcements.
Carlos Alcaraz says how long he thinks he’ll play tennis for
Wawrinka was knocked out of the Australian Open earlier today, marking his last-ever appearance at the event.
It was likely his impressive run which prompted questions about whether Alcaraz could see himself playing at his age.
Speaking with ESPN, the 22-year-old was quick to shut down that suggestion: “The truth is, right now, no, we’re not thinking about how far I’ll go.
“To tell you the truth, when you look at those who are still playing at 40 or 38, like Monfils, that’s more than 20-23 years on the tour… I don’t see myself playing at 35
“Well, I’ll play until 33, maybe 34 at the most. I think that in the end, a tennis career, you know? I think the passion they have for the sport never ends; it even grows stronger every year, and I think that’s what keeps them competing for so long.
“To tell you the truth, I don’t see myself competing past 35, but well, as I said, we’ll see how far I can go, and also what my body tells me. We’re going to try to take care of ourselves, but hopefully, I’ll have the passion and, above all, the vitality that they have to be competing at the highest level at that age.”
Carlos Alcaraz could break every tennis record before he’s 35
The reason why Alcaraz doesn’t see himself playing tennis past 35 is probably that he hopes to have tied up almost every record possible before then.
After all, given his current trajectory and the lack of significant opposition other than Jannik Sinner, he’s expected to continue sweeping up plenty of Grand Slam titles with each passing year.
Even with this Australian Open, if he were to win the title, he’d realise an all-time goal by becoming the youngest to ever complete the career Grand Slam.
Who has been the best player at the Australian Open so far?
At just 22 years old, Alcaraz boasts six Grand Slam titles. At his age, neither Novak Djokovic nor Roger Federer could match that feat.
He’s on track to sit among them at this legendary table by the time his career comes to a close, whenever that may be.
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