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Carlos Alcaraz compared to Djokovic
Australian Open, Rafa Nadal, Tennis News

‘New Rafael Nadal’ Carlos Alcaraz makes impressive winning start at Australian Open


Carlos Alcaraz, who is widely tipped to be the new Rafael Nadal, has made a winning start to his Grand Slam career.

The 17-year-old Spaniard, playing in his first major, eased into the second round with a hugely impressive 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 win over Dutchman Botic Van de Zandschulp

Alcaraz dropped just nine points in the first set, and became the youngest man to to win a Grand Slam match since 2014.

“Before the match, I warm up and I be nervous, but I played the first game and second game like not very relax, but then I play very good,” Carlos Alcaraz said afterwards.

“I felt really, really good. I got the experience. I’m excited to play my second round.”

Alacaraz, who now faces Mikael Ymer in the second round, had the opportunity to train with Nadal last week and he said that proved a useful eye-opener for him.

“He hit the ball very hard – each ball, he try to hit harder,” Alcaraz said of Nadal.

“I think his focus from the first ball to the last ball, I think it is a good thing to keep.”


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Michael Graham, Tennishead.net Editor, has been a professional sports journalist for his whole career and is especially passionate about tennis. He's been the Editor of Tennishead.net for over 5 years and loves watching live tennis by visiting as many tournaments as possible. Michael specialises in writing in-depth features about the ATP & WTA tours.