Carlos Alcaraz keen to break Australian Open duck
Carlos Alcaraz would rather win his first Australian Open than retain his French Open and US Open titles next year, the Spaniard said late on Friday, a day after sealing the year-end world number one ranking at the ATP Finals. The 22-year-old, speaking on Spanish midnight sports radio show El Partidazo de Cope, said lifting the trophy at Melbourne Park has become a priority, with quarter-finals in 2024 and 2025 his deepest runs at the season’s first major. “In 2026 I’d rather win Australia alone than win two repeated Grand Slams,” Alcaraz said. “I’m far from being the best player in tennis or overall, because there are still many players who can beat me and I’ve lost to many players. I’m not the best, despite the ranking showing that I am.” Alcaraz was beaten 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 by Novak Djokovic in a gladiatorial quarter-final on Rod Laver Arena but the Serb retired injured in the semis and will remain in the hunt for a record 25th Grand Slam and an 11th Australian Open in January. The six-times Grand Slam champion added that surpassing Djokovic’s men’s Grand Slam record was a long-term ambition. “I’d sign for 23 Grand Slams without thinking twice, right now.