Alcaraz’s Quest for a Grand Slam
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz is on a quest to achieve a rare career Grand Slam at just 22 years old, and he is making waves at the Australian Open as he reaches the quarterfinals. His latest victory came against Tommy Paul, the 19th seed, with a commanding scoreline of 7-6 (6), 6-4, 7-5. Alcaraz’s refined serve played a crucial role in his success on Sunday, marking a shift in his playing style that has drawn the notice of fellow competitors, including the legendary Novak Djokovic.
Impressive Serving Performance
The world’s top-ranked player delivered an impressive serving performance, successfully landing 70% of his first serves and winning 79% of the points when he did so, while also claiming 68% of points on his second serve. As the match progressed, Djokovic humorously referenced Alcaraz’s modified serving technique in a pre-tournament jest, nudging him for a fictional copyright fee—a quip that Alcaraz embraced during his on-court interview at the Rod Laver Arena.
Reflecting on their light-hearted interactions, Alcaraz recounted how, upon seeing footage of his new service motion, he discovered a text from Djokovic that playfully stated, “Alright, you have to pay!”
Their friendly banter highlights the camaraderie in the locker room. Despite striving for an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title, Djokovic has faced tough competition from the younger stars, Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who have each claimed four major titles over the last two years.
Looking Ahead
Though Alcaraz has enjoyed much success, he has yet to claim a title at Melbourne Park, having previously reached the quarterfinal stage but never advancing further. Up next, he awaits either the Australian Alex de Minaur or the 10th-seeded Alexander Bublik in the next round.
Match Highlights
In their match, Paul, who reached the semifinals in 2023, momentarily halted play due to a medical emergency involving a spectator. The delay lasted over 14 minutes while medical personnel attended to the individual, causing both players to warm up again before resuming the match. Following the interruption, Alcaraz took command, breaking Paul’s serve in a crucial moment of the final set and ultimately sealing the win in 2 hours and 44 minutes. Afterward, he celebrated with the crowd and showed appreciation for his opponent with a friendly hug at the net.
“Overall, a really high level of tennis from both sides,” Alcaraz remarked afterward, expressing satisfaction with his straight-sets victory. Recognizing the significance of his serving game in the tournament thus far, he noted, “Yeah, it’s impressing myself to be honest,” as he reflected on his statistics from the initial matches at the Australian Open.
As the tournament progresses, Alcaraz remains focused on harnessing his serve, which he views as a vital asset in his quest for the championship.
