Carlos Alcaraz got off to a strong start in his Australian Open campaign by beating home hope Adam Walton in straight sets.
The Spaniard, in pursuit of becoming the youngest player ever to complete the Career Grand Slam, defeated Walton 6-3, 7-6, 6-2.
Alcaraz enjoyed a fairly comfortable opener against the Australian, despite a slight dip in focus during the second set, during which he was forced to a tiebreak.
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
His next opponent comes in the form of ATP veteran Yannick Hanfmann, whom he has played just once before on the tour.
Ahead of the clash with the German, Alcaraz admitted there is certainly room for improvement in his game.
Carlos Alcaraz discusses his level against Adam Walton
“It was, I would say, a difficult match for me,” said the six-time major champion in his post-match press conference.
“In the first set, just one break. Just missed two first serves. I think he was playing really good, really solid. I think he was trying to find the position to attack every time he can.
“Then the second set I think he found more spots to be aggressive. I’m playing good tennis. Just lost the focus a little bit in that game with my serve. It was then more complicated for me.
“Overall, just happy. To be honest, I was ready for a good battle. At the same time a little bit unexpected for me the level he played.
Who is your dark horse for the 2026 Australian Open?
“I had to manage myself to be ready for that battle. Just happy with the level of the first match of the season.”
When asked what he needs to improve on, Alcaraz responded: “Well, I think I hit the ball well. Could be better for sure.
“I [am] just happy because I think the things that I had to do, I did it pretty well in terms of myself, behave well, just good mindset all the time.
“Every time, trying to think in positive thoughts all the time. So I think I did it pretty well, which was one of the main goals for me coming into this match.
“Then, in terms of level, tactics or everything, I know that I have a lot of things to be better in the next round if I want to go further.”
Carlos Alcaraz asked why he thinks he has not won the Australian Open
Alcaraz has only ever gone as far as the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, a finish he managed in both 2024 and 2025.
Discussing his past results Down Under, Alcaraz said: “I would say tricky not have gone farther than quarterfinals here in Australia because I feel like I’m playing good tennis here in Australia.
“The last two years I’ve been playing really good tennis. But in quarterfinal I just lost against Zverev and lost against Djokovic.
“It’s I think unusual players you play against in quarterfinal if you are 1 or 2 in the world. But it isn’t an excuse.
“I just really want to perform better than I did previous years. So I [am] just feeling this year, probably it is one of those years that I will be able to or I will have the chance to go further.”
Alcaraz is seeded first at this year’s Australian Open and can avoid both Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner until the final.
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