Australian Open tennis: ‘Excited’ Alcaraz hungry to break title drought

Carlos Alcaraz warned Friday that he was “hungry” to interrupt his Australian Open title drought and turn out to be the youngest man to finish a profession Grand Slam, calling it his main goal in 2026.

The world primary from Spain is the title favorite together with two-time defending champion and nice rival Jannik Sinner.

The Melbourne Park crown is the one one of many 4 majors that Alcaraz has by no means received, his finest efficiency the quarterfinals in 2024 and 2025.

If he goes all the best way this 12 months he’ll surpass fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal because the youngest man to win all 4 majors. Nadal was 24 when he achieved the feat.

The 22-year-old Alcaraz, who begins his title assault in opposition to Australia’s 79th-ranked Adam Walton, mentioned he couldn’t wait to get going.

“I feel that is my major aim for this 12 months,” mentioned Alcaraz, whose solely warm-up was a win in opposition to Italy’s Sinner in a light-hearted exhibition match in South Korea.

“So it’s going to be actually attention-grabbing for me how I ready, which I feel I simply made a extremely good pre-season, simply to be in a good condition.

“I’m simply hungry for the title, hungry to do a extremely good end result right here. I’m simply preparing as a lot as I can.” “I’m actually excited in regards to the event starting.”

Alcaraz was requested by reporters if he would swap titles in any respect three of the opposite majors this 12 months for one Melbourne crown.

Underlining simply how necessary successful the Australian Open and nailing the profession Grand Slam is to him, he mentioned he couldn’t determine.

“I don’t know which one I’d select,” he mentioned, smiling broadly.

“Clearly full the profession Grand Slam is one thing superb to do, be capable to be the youngest that has carried out it earlier than, you recognize, is even higher.”

No change after break up

There was a lot give attention to Alcaraz’s teaching staff within the build-up to Melbourne.

In December the six-time main champion abruptly introduced that he was splitting from coach Juan Carlos Ferrero after seven massively profitable years collectively, with assistant Samuel Lopez taking on.

Alcaraz started working with Ferrero, a former world primary, when he was a young person.

Quizzed by reporters for the explanations behind the shock break up, Alcaraz mentioned that it felt like the best time to finish the partnership and was a mutual choice.

“With Juan Carlos, we determined to do it. I’m simply having loads of confidence within the staff that I’ve proper now,” he mentioned.

“As I mentioned, apply has been actually good. I’m simply feeling properly.“

So simply excited in regards to the event starting with the staff that I’ve proper now.”