MELBOURNE, Australia — Carlos Alcaraz has a unique way of celebrating his Grand Slam victories: with tattoos! If he triumphs at the Australian Open, he’s set to add a kangaroo to his artistic collection, marking a complete set from tennis’s four premier tournaments.
At just 21 years old, Alcaraz is on the brink of making history as the youngest male player to secure a career Grand Slam. He powered through the third round at Melbourne Park despite a shaky start, ultimately defeating 33rd-ranked Nuno Borges of Portugal with a scoreline of 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-2.
Already, his body tells the story of his incredible journey: a tattoo commemorating the date of his first major win at the 2022 U.S. Open; a strawberry symbolizing his first Wimbledon victory in 2023; and the Eiffel Tower paying homage to his triumph at last year’s French Open. What emblem might he choose if he emerges victorious at Rod Laver Arena on January 26?
“Definitely a kangaroo!” smiled Alcaraz confidently on Friday. “The only thing left for me is to lift that trophy here, but my plans are already set.”
In the match against Borges, there was a moment where Alcaraz went from rock-solid to momentarily shaken, unable to land his shots with precision.
It was a shocking turnaround when the score shifted dramatically from 2-all to a tiebreaker loss at 6-2, largely due to a string of uncharacteristic errors from Alcaraz, who is already a four-time Grand Slam champion and ranked No. 3 in Australia.
Miscalculations on his backhand, forehand, and service return led to missed opportunities, culminating in a lost set. However, his determination quickly resurfaced, and he regained control of the match.
Early in the fourth set, Alcaraz seized a break point and enthusiastically shouted “Vamos!” — a clear indication that he was back in his groove. He successfully converted that opportunity to take a 2-0 lead, showcasing his skills with a breathtaking play: he dashed forward, responded to a lob with incredible speed, and delivered a stunning forehand winner, all while momentarily losing his balance.
After winning the point, he stood up, pointed to his ear to encourage the crowd to cheer louder, and raised his fist in celebration.
“I’m aiming to play a variety of tennis, incorporating different shots into my game,” said Alcaraz, who will next face either No. 15 Jack Draper of Britain or Aleksandar Vukic of Australia. “That’s what brings me joy on the court.”
Alcaraz has been vocal about his aspirations — both for this tournament and the future. While he is eager to clinch his maiden Australian Open title (having been ousted in the quarterfinals last year), he has his sights set higher: “My main goal is simple: to win as many Grand Slams as I can.”