MELBOURNE, Australia — Carlos Alcaraz, a young talent in the world of tennis, has a unique way of commemorating his Grand Slam victories: he gets tattoos. If he triumphs at the Australian Open, he intends to ink a kangaroo on his body, completing his collection from the four major tournaments in the sport.
At just 21 years old, Alcaraz stands on the brink of becoming the youngest male player to achieve a career Grand Slam. He recently faced Nuno Borges from Portugal, ranked 33rd, in the third round at Melbourne Park and secured a win with scores of 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-2. This match marked the first time he dropped a set during the tournament this week.
He has already tattooed significant milestones on his body: the date of his first Grand Slam title from the U.S. Open in 2022, a strawberry representing his first Wimbledon win in 2023, and the Eiffel Tower to signify his victory at last year’s French Open. If he stands victorious at Rod Laver Arena on January 26, he knows exactly what to commemorate.
“A kangaroo, that’s for sure,” he exclaimed with enthusiasm, expressing his hopes to lift the trophy and complete his dream.
During the match against Borges, Alcaraz experienced a brief lapse in performance. It was surprising to witness the score shift dramatically from 2-all to a commanding 6-2 in Borges’ favor within the third set’s tiebreaker, mainly due to Alcaraz’s series of unforced errors. Mistakes from his backhand, forehand, and service returns culminated in a missed shot on Borges’ second set point, costing him that set. However, his unwavering determination and skill quickly surfaced again, propelling him back into control of the match.
In the early moments of the fourth set, he earned a break point, which prompted him to shout his motivational slogan, “Vamos!” — a clear indication that his focus had returned. After converting the break point for a 2-0 lead, he showcased an incredible play, sprinting to intercept a drop shot and then expertly returning a difficult lob with a stunning forehand pass. The exuberance of the moment led him to lose his footing, but he quickly regained composure, dropping his racket to brace himself.
Once he confirmed his point victory, Alcaraz stood up, pointed to the crowd, and encouraged them to cheer louder, grinning widely as he raised his right fist in triumph.
“I’m trying to play different tennis, showing different kinds of shots,” Alcaraz explained, looking forward to his next match, where he will face either No. 15 Jack Draper of Britain or Australian Aleksandar Vukic. “That’s what makes me … smile on court.”
Alcaraz has been forthright about his aspirations—not just in this tournament but throughout his career. He aims to clinch the Australian Open title for the first time, having fallen in the quarterfinals the previous year. While reclaiming the No. 1 ranking and claiming other titles are certainly goals, his primary focus remains: “Try to win as many Grand Slams as I can. That’s my main goal.”
