Carlos Alcaraz started his Australian Open campaign with a comfortable win over Australia’s Adam Walton, showing no rust after a nine-week off-season break.
The 22-year-old Spaniard, who has already won the French Open, US Open, and Wimbledon twice, is aiming to complete a career Grand Slam in Melbourne—something only eight men in history have achieved. Victory would make him the youngest player to do so. Tennis legend Roger Federer has backed him to succeed.
Alcaraz spent his off-season recharging mentally and physically with holidays in Miami and Turks and Caicos, time at home with family and friends, and even playing board games. "I stayed home, I recharged the batteries. Mentally, I am fresh," he said.
He detailed his daily routine, practicing intensely in the mornings and relaxing in the afternoons with family and friends, which he credits for feeling ready for Melbourne.
In his first-round match, Alcaraz overcame a slow start, converting a break point in the eighth game of the opening set and responding immediately when Walton broke his serve in the second. Alcaraz pulled away in a second-set tie-break to win 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 6-2, though he will want to improve his 36 unforced errors and 4-of-10 break point conversion in the next round against Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann.
Elsewhere, third seed Alexander Zverev came from a set down to beat Gabriel Diallo in four sets, and other seeds including Alexander Bublik, Francisco Cerundolo, Frances Tiafoe, and Corentin Moutet also advanced in straight sets.
