Carlos Alcaraz gives himself a less than perfect grade at Australian Open

Carlos Alcaraz has not yet won an Australian Open in his career. He has won two other Grand Slams, though, when he took home the trophies at the 2022 US Open and 2023 Wimbledon. Alcaraz is as capable of winning in Melbourne as any other player. But just do not ask if he thinks he is playing perfect tennis.

The only real struggle Carlos Alcaraz has had so far was in the second round against Lorenzo Sonego. Alcaraz dropped the second-set tie-break in that match but still won in four sets. That second set loss was the only set Alcaraz has dropped so far. In the third round he absolutely torched Juncheng Shang to start the match winning the first two sets at 6-1. Sheng then retired in the third set.

Next up for Alcaraz is Miomir Kecmanovic. There is no reason to think Kecmanovic will give the Spaniard any problems either, though. The two players have played once before and the match went a full three sets, but that was two years ago and before Alcaraz was in full control of his immense powers. The Serb had a losing record in 2023.

Carlos Alcaraz does not think he is playing perfectly at the Australian Open

But when asked post-match after his third-round victory about how well he thought he was playing in the Australian Open, Carlos Alcaraz was either overly humble or too harsh on himself. Many players would have given themselves a 9 or 10, but not Alcaraz.

The Spaniard said, "Probably 7, 8. It's a high note. But that's how I feel. I don't know. I think I'm improving every day. Every match that I'm playing, I'm feeling better and better. Moving, hitting the ball, and, of course, I'm getting used to this court as well."

If "7 or 8" is a "high note" for Alcaraz so far, his level of play might be another players 15 or 16. In other words, he is playing better than most players could dream to be capable of. But what could potentially happen after the fourth round and against Kecmanovic? That is when the real tests likely begin for Alcaraz in his quest for his first Australian Open title.

Alcaraz will likely face a red-hot Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals. Zverev is fully over an ankle injury he suffered in 2022. He is moving well and has the power the compete with Alcaraz. If Carlos Alcaraz makes it past Zverev, Daniil Medvedev could await in the semifinals.

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