"One of the most demanding matches that I have ever played": Carlos Alcaraz sums up over five hour punishing Australian Open epic
ATPFriday, 30 January 2026 at 11:45
Carlos Alcaraz produced one of the most courageous performances of his career to book a place in his first Australian Open final, overcoming severe physical difficulties and a fifth-set deficit in a gruelling match in Melbourne.
Still clearly feeling the effects of a punishing encounter, the Spaniard admitted belief was the single most important factor in his comeback as he defeated Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open 6-4, 7-6, 6-7, 6-7, 7-5 in nearly five and a half hours and now faces either Jannik Sinner or Novak Djokovic in Sunday's final.
He will certainly need the rest and he said that only really belief got him through it in the end. “Believing — believing all the time,” Alcaraz said afterwards. “I always say that you have to believe in yourself, no matter what you’re struggling with, no matter what you’ve been through. No matter anything, you’ve still got to believe in yourself all the time.”
Alcaraz was visibly struggling for long periods, particularly during the middle of the match, and later revealed just how demanding the contest had been.
“I was struggling in the middle of the third set,” he said. “Physically, it was one of the most demanding matches that I have ever played in my short career, I would say.”
Despite the toll on his body, the 22-year-old drew confidence from past experiences in similar situations, trusting his ability to endure when it mattered most. “But I’ve been in these kinds of situations, I’ve been in these kinds of matches before,” Alcaraz explained. “So I knew what I had to do. I had to put my heart into the match.”
That resolve proved decisive. Even when he found himself a break down throughout the deciding set, Alcaraz refused to let the moment overwhelm him.
“I fought until the last ball,” he said. “I knew that I was going to have my chances. I was down a break in the fifth set, but I’m just extremely proud of myself — the way that I fought and the way that I came back in the fifth set.”
Pressure now on to complete career Grand Slam
The victory sets up a landmark occasion on Sunday night, with Alcaraz not only competing for his maiden Australian Open title but also chasing history. A win would make him the youngest man ever to complete the career Grand Slam.
Asked what that achievement would mean to him, Alcaraz responded with a smile. “Well, thank you for putting so much pressure on me right now,” he joked, before quickly adding: “Kidding, kidding.”
More seriously, he emphasised how much simply reaching the final in Melbourne meant to him. “I’m just really, really happy to have the chance to play my first final here in Melbourne,” he said. “It’s something that I was pursuing a lot, chasing a lot — having the chance to fight for the title.”
Reflecting on his tournament so far, Alcaraz felt his form had grown with each round. “I think it’s been a great two weeks so far,” he said. “I think my level has been increasing a lot.”
He was also quick to acknowledge the role of the crowd in helping him through the toughest moments of the match.
“One thing that I’ve got to say is that I couldn’t be standing here right now doing this interview without these guys,” Alcaraz said. “For me, it was a real pleasure playing in front of all of you. The way you pushed me back into the match, the way you pushed me every time — every ball, every point — it’s been crazy.”
Grateful for the backing he has received throughout the tournament, Alcaraz is hoping for another electric atmosphere in Sunday’s final.
“I’m really grateful for the support I’ve had, not only in this match but during the whole tournament,” he said. “Hopefully on Sunday it’s going to be a great atmosphere and great support.”
For now, however, his focus is firmly on recovery after one of the most physically taxing matches of his career.
“Obviously right now my head is about recovering as much as I can,” Alcaraz said. “Just to try to be in good shape and put on a show for you guys.”
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