Carlos Alcaraz is into the Australian Open second round after winning his opening match against Adam Walton.
Australian Walton certainly tested Alcaraz at times, but the ATP Tour number one triumphed 6-3, 7-6(7-2), 6-2.
The top seed now faces Yannick Hanfmann in the second round of the Australian Open, the only Grand Slam he hasn’t won.
Alcaraz is a six-time Grand Slam champion, with Juan Carlos Ferrero having been on his coaching team for all six titles.
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Martina Navratilova questions Carlos Alcaraz after Juan Carlos Ferrero split
Ferrero and Alcaraz parted ways in the off-season, with former players Lindsay Davenport and Martina Navratilova now discussing that split on Tennis Channel.
Davenport said: “Yeah it was such a shocking revelation when we all heard in December. You keep in mind, Juan Carlos has been able to develop Alcaraz, they seem like family, and also the communication between the two in matches, and particularly big matches, was pretty constant almost every point.
“So how will Alcaraz be able to play those kind of big matches on the Grand Slam stage without that? He’s used to looking over and hearing those words.
“Of course his coach Samu [Lopez] has done a wonderful job this last year, but it is different, and Alcaraz will have to play a Grand Slam under that. He’s so good, he’s so explosive.
“Has never played his best tennis Down Under, but he’s playing for a lot here to try and get the career Slam, maybe trying to prove to himself he made the right decision as well. I think we’re going to see a pretty high level from Carlos.”
And Navratilova added: “It’s the biggest question mark right now. As you said Lindsay, he looked at Carlos after every point. He was getting so much advice, where to stand, where to hit, all of that stuff.
“Now is he going to have that same confidence in his new coach? It’s going to be playing some tricks on him. We’ll see, it’s a toss-up right now.”
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Carlos Alcaraz has extra motivation to win the Australian Open
Alcaraz’s decision to split with Ferrero was certainly a major shock, with the duo having enjoyed stunning success together.
The latter’s absence will undoubtedly be strange for the former in Melbourne, but his relatively straightforward start will give him plenty of confidence going into round two.
However, Alcaraz’s record in Melbourne may also be playing on his mind, with a quarterfinal run his best result so far.
He reached that stage in 2024 and 2025, having won the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open twice each.
However, that should provide extra motivation for the Spaniard, with Alcaraz eyeing the career Grand Slam at the Australian Open.
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