Carlos Alcaraz rates his Australian Open form as he makes an honest confession
Carlos Alcaraz has expressed how he feels about his Australian Open form so far after progressing to the fourth round of the tournament for the first time.
The two-time Grand Slam champion also highlighted his goal to maintain his level for the whole season as he admitted he lost a few matches he “had not to lose” after Wimbledon last year.
Alcaraz advanced to the last 16 of the 2024 Australian Open on Saturday after third round opponent Juncheng Shang retired through injury when the Spaniard led 6-1, 6-1, 1-0.
The world No 2, who is making his third appearance at the Australian Open after missing the 2023 edition due to injury, has improved on his previous best result of reaching the third round in 2022.
The 20-year-old Spaniard will face world No 60 Miomir Kecmanovic in the last 16 after the 24-year-old Serbian upset 14th seed Tommy Paul in five sets.
Carlos Alcaraz has deceived Shang Juncheng with another one of his tricky shots! 🤹#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/zVIiDHnAdi
— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 20, 2024
Following his victory over Shang, Alcaraz was asked to rate how he was feeling out of 10 about his Australian Open campaign so far.
“Well, I’m feeling great. Probably 7, 8. It’s a high note. But that’s how I feel. I don’t know. I think I’m improving every day,” the Wimbledon champion said.
“Every match that I’m playing, I’m feeling better and better. Moving, hitting the ball, and, of course, I’m getting used to this court as well. I didn’t play so much in this court. I think everything is good.
“I taking good things from the court, from the level that I’m playing. Hopefully it’s going to be better and better.”
The 2022 US Open winner also addressed his dip in form after claiming the Wimbledon title last year and outlined his intention to be more consistent in the latter part of 2024.
“Well, that’s a goal obviously to maintain my level during the whole season. Yeah, as you said, probably after Wimbledon I lost few games that I had not to lose, but obviously this is tennis, everything can happen,” Alcaraz explained.
“But, yeah, I fell in that side. I don’t focus any different things. I’m just focused to do the right things, probably the good things that I did last year, and improve the things that I did wrong.
“But obviously in this part of the year I hope to do it well. I hope to do it as same as 2023. The second part of the year is to maintain my good level and see how it’s going to be.”
