Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz reacts throughout a press convention forward of the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, on January 16, 2026
| Photograph Credit score: AP
Carlos Alcaraz warned Friday that he was “hungry” to interrupt his Australian Open title drought and grow to be the youngest man to finish a profession Grand Slam, calling it his major 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 most important purpose 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 fascinating for me how I ready, which I feel I simply made a extremely good pre-season, simply to be in a fine condition.
“I’m simply hungry for the title, hungry to do a extremely good consequence right here. I’m simply preparing as a lot as I can.” “I’m actually excited concerning 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 essential 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 might select,” he mentioned, smiling broadly.
“Clearly full the profession Grand Slam is one thing wonderful to do, have the ability to be the youngest that has accomplished it earlier than, you realize, is even higher.”
No change after break up
There was a lot give attention to Alcaraz’s teaching crew 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 vastly profitable years collectively, with assistant Samuel Lopez taking on.
Alcaraz started working with Ferrero, a former world primary, when he was a teen.
Quizzed by reporters for the explanations behind the shock break up, Alcaraz mentioned that it felt like the suitable time to finish the partnership and was a mutual resolution.
“With Juan Carlos, we determined to do it. I’m simply having loads of confidence within the crew that I’ve proper now,” he mentioned.
“As I mentioned, apply has been actually good. I’m simply feeling effectively.“
So simply excited concerning the event starting with the crew that I’ve proper now.”
Revealed – January 16, 2026 08:27 am IST
