Like Jannik Sinner, world no. 3 Carlos Alcaraz will not play official matches ahead of the Australian Open. Carlos skipped the United Cup and four ATP tournaments before the first Major of the season. The four-time Major winner will participate at the 2025 AO Opening Week.
The Spaniard will compete against Alex de Minaur at Rod Laver Arena on January 8. Carlos finished the official season at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga and traveled to the USA, embracing exhibition encounters against Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe.
La seule fois où Carlos Alcaraz a affronté Alex de Minaur, en demi-finales du tournoi de Barcelone 2022, l’Espagnol avait sauvé deux balles de match avant de s’imposer en trois sets, dont une sur un coup droit d’extraterrestre. 👽
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— Tennis Legend (@TennisLegende) June 24, 2023
Carlos’ 2024 highlights
The 21-year-old wrapped up the season with a 54-13 score, lifting four ATP titles. Carlos conquered Roland Garros and Wimbledon and wrote history books. The young gun became the sixth player in the Open era with a ‘Channel Slam,’ joining legends on the exclusive list.
Alcaraz also became the youngest winner of Major titles on all three surfaces, looking good to keep that record for many more years. The Spaniard experienced a couple of challenging losses, especially at the US Open. However, he collected enough points to wrap up his third straight season in the top-3.
ATP Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
Carlos fell to Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open before conquering his first Masters 1000 crown in Indian Wells. Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner in the semi-final and topped Daniil Medvedev to embrace the title defense at 20.
The Spaniard struggled with an arm injury early during the clay season. He recovered by Roland Garros and chased the crown. Carlos reached the semi-final over three top-30 rivals and faced Jannik Sinner. The Italian forged two sets to one advantage.
However, Alcaraz bounced back and claimed sets four and five to earn a notable victory. Carlos produced 11 consecutive holds in the second part of the duel and ousted the ATP Race leader. The Spaniard faced Alexander Zverev in the title clash.
ATP Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
The German claimed five games in a row in sets two and three, moving closer to the title. Like in the semi-final, Alcaraz stepped in and dropped only three games in the final two sets, prevailing and celebrating his first Roland Garros title.
The Spaniard wished for more at Wimbledon a couple of weeks later. The 21-year-old competed as the defending champion and experienced how tough is to claim back-to-back crowns at Majors. Alcaraz survived a couple of challenging duels, especially against Frances Tiafoe.
Carlos lost the opening set in the semi-final against Daniil Medvedev and secured the next three, returning into the Wimbledon final. Like a year ago, Alcaraz faced Novak Djokovic in a battle for the trophy and scored a dominant 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 win in two hours and 27 minutes.
Davis Cup Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
Thus, the Spaniard became one of the youngest defending champion at Wimbledon, standing as a proud owner of four Major titles. Carlos chased another notable titles at the Olympic Games in Paris. He defeated five rivals and reached the gold medal match.
He faced Novak Djokovic again, and the veteran avenged the Wimbledon final defeat. Novak prevailed over Carlos 7-6, 7-6 in two hours and 52 minutes after a massive battle, leaving the young gun without a gold medal. Alcaraz lost the ground at the upcoming events.
Carlos Alcaraz, Madrid Masters© Stream screenshot
He experienced a shocking US Open defeat before embracing a winning streak at the Davis Cup, the Laver Cup and the Beijing Open. Carlos faced Jannik Sinner in the final in the Chinese capital and prevailed after a thriller, winning the fourth and last title of the season.
The Spaniard lost the final to the Italian at the Six Kings Slam final! Carlos was the quarter-finalist at the Shanghai Masters and suffered an early loss at the Paris Masters. Alcaraz closed the season at the ATP Finals, earning one victory and missing the semi-final spot.
Alex de Minaur & Carlos Alcaraz, Queens 2023© Stream screenshot
Alcaraz vs. de Minaur
Carlos and Alex played for the first time in the 2022 Barcelona Open semi-final. The Spaniard saved two match points in a thrilling 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 triumph after three hours and 40 minutes! De Minaur prevailed in the opener and broke in the ninth game of the second set.
The Aussie served for the win at 5-4 and experienced a break. Carlos got broken again in the 11th game, moving closer to the exit door. The home favorite saved two match points on the return at 5-6, pulling the break back and extending his chances after over two and a half hours.
Carlos Alcaraz, Queens 2023© Stream screenshot
The decider provided 13 deuces in the opening two games, with Alcaraz earning an early break. De Minaur pulled the break back in game six and forged a 4-3 advantage. Carlos stepped in and claimed the final three games, performing a massive turnaround and reaching the final.
Two rivals met again a year later in the Queen’s final. The Spaniard earned a 6-4, 6-4 victory, celebrating his first grass-court ATP title. The young gun claimed six points more than de Minaur and prevailed in the pivotal moments.
The Spaniard denied two break points and stole the rival’s serve once in each set to cross the finish line in style.
Tennis World USA