There is only one win left until the youngest career Grand Slam in men’s tennis. However, the process to get to the final stage was very difficult. In fact, we were pushed to the brink of defeat. However, Carlos Alcaras (Spain) proved why he is currently ranked number one in the world of men’s tennis. The opponent he must defeat in the finals is ‘King of the Australian Open’ Novak Djokovic (Serbia).
Alcaras won 3-2 (6:4/7:6/6:7/6:7/7:5) after a fierce battle with Alexander Zverev (Germany, 3rd) for 5 hours and 27 minutes in the Australian Open men’s singles semifinal held at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia on the 30th. After playing for the longest time in Australian Open semifinal history, he reached the final stage for the first time in his life. He also became the youngest player to advance to the finals of all four major Grand Slam tournaments since the Open era (1968), when professional players were allowed to participate in the tournament. If Alcaras, born in 2003, wins the Australian Open, he will become the youngest person to achieve a career Grand Slam (winning the four major tournaments at any time). Except for the Australian Open, the French Open (2024, 2025), Wimbledon (2023, 2024), and US Open (2022, 2025) have already been won.
Alcaras suffered a cramp in his right thigh during the third set of the match. He requested a medical time-out and continued receiving massages, but his footwork became noticeably slower afterward. According to foreign media, Alcaras’ average first serve speed before the spasms began was 204 km per hour, and his leg thrust was 2.31 m per second. However, after the cramps started, his average first serve speed dropped to 177 km, and his leg propulsion was only 1.46 m. In the end, the 3rd and 4th sets were lost in a tiebreak.
Even in the 5th set, Alcaras pushed the game score to 3-5. If they lost just one game, their advancement to the finals could have been thwarted. However, Alcaras used his superhuman strength to protect his serve and even took away Zverev’s serve. By winning four games in a row, the marathon battle of 5 hours and 27 minutes came to an end. When victory was confirmed, he lay down in Rod Laver Arena.
In a court interview after the game, Alcaras was asked how he overcame a situation where he was on the verge of defeat.“I continued to believe in myself, and believed, and believed again.” He continued, “The middle of the third set was really difficult. “It was one of the most physically challenging matches,” he said. “But I knew what to do because I had been through it before. “I really put all my effort into it,” he said. He didn’t forget to say, “I fought as hard as I could until the last ball, and I’m really proud of myself.” Regarding the finals, which will be held on February 1 (5:30 p.m.) after a day’s rest, “I’m really happy to have the opportunity to play my first final in Melbourne. “It’s something I’ve been hoping for, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to fight for the championship.”
Alcaras’ opponent in the final is Djokovic (4th place), who has won the Australian Open 10 times. Djokovic won 3-2 (3:6/6:3/4:6/6:4/6:4) in the semifinals against world number 2 Jannik Sinner (Italy) in a close full set. In a fierce battle that lasted 4 hours and 9 minutes, 38-year-old Djokovic showed some physical difficulties, but he overcame it with his courage. He was able to conserve his stamina until the semifinals as all of his opponents in the round of 16 and quarterfinals withdrew due to injury. In particular, in the quarterfinals, he was pushed to the edge by losing the first and second sets to Lorenzo Musetti (Italy, 5th place), but Musetti withdrew due to thigh pain during the third set, and secured a ticket to the semifinals.
It has been three years since 2023 that Djokovic reached the Australian Open final. His winning percentage in the Australian Open final was 100%. I went up 10 times and won all 10 times. Djokovic will attempt to win his 11th Australian Open and 25th major championship against Alcaraz, who is aiming for the youngest career Grand Slam. The 25 wins in major competitions is the all-time record for men and women. No matter who wins, Alcaras or Djokovic, a new history will be created. Alcaras and Djokovic faced each other in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open last year, and Djokovic won. Alcaras won in the US Open semifinals.
Reporter Kim Yang-hee whizzer4@hani.co.kr
