"My identity is what makes me a good player": Corentin Moutet ready to test Alcaraz in Australian Open third round

Wednesday, 21 January 2026 at 21:15

Corentin Moutet with a racket in his hand

Carlos Alcaraz will face a unique rival in the third round of the Australian Open: the talented Corentin Moutet, one of the “madmen” of the ATP Tour. The Frenchman is known for his unconventional style, alternating underarm serves, dropshots, and slices far more often than most other players.

For much of his career, Moutet struggled to break into the top 50, despite being widely recognized as a talented player. His creativity, touch, net play, and unpredictability have earned him several notable victories, though he has historically lacked consistency over the years.

In the past year, he has evolved, keeping his signature style while finding more consistency on serve and showing greater mental composure. The 26-year-old entered Melbourne as the 32nd seed—after reaching two finals in 2025—and advanced in this tournament without major issues, securing wins over Tristan Schoolkate and Michael Zheng.

“I'm going to have to play well, that's a certainty, because he's one of the best players in the world. After I change my game, you don't change your identity in a few days. My identity is what makes me a good player,” Moutet said in a press conference. “That's how I'm the best when I get on the pitch."

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"I'm not going to change anything. I'm going to stay who I am and try to do the best I can. And as the game goes on, I'm going to see the different challenges he's going to propose to me. And I'm going to try to overcome them one after the other and see what happens.”

“He's a very young player. On paper, I'm his favourite. In their heads, I'm not allowed to lose. It's also a tough challenge to overcome for other reasons. Every day, I take it with enthusiasm. The challenge to overcome is different. Alcaraz is a very good player. Even though he's younger than me, he's won a lot of titles. It's undeniable that he's one of the best players at the moment.”

“He’s a very anarchic player”

Alcaraz arrives with the mission of taking on a player he has never faced before, a rival who can surprise with a particularly unpredictable game. Known for his strong temperament, Moutet represents a serious challenge for the world No. 1, who will need to stay focused from start to finish.

In the press conference, Alcaraz analyzed Moutet's style: “Well, he's a very anarchic player," the 6-time Grand Slam champion said. "You never know where he's going to come at you from. It's true that, although he has a lot of shots in his arsenal, he follows a pattern: he hits slices, drop shots, goes forward, uses lobs, and comes to the net."

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"In the end, even if he does a lot of things, I know the pattern of his game. We’re going to try to stay focused so that doesn’t ‘dirty’ our game. We’ll give our best, try to set our level, our rhythm in the match, and we’ll see what happens. What I can guarantee is that it’s going to be a fun match.”

Alcaraz and Moutet will meet on Friday, January 23, with a spot in the fourth round on the line. The winner will face the victor of the clash between Davidovich Fokina and Tommy Paul.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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