Carlos Alcaraz is standing on the brink of tennis history once again. The 22-year-old Spaniard is set to play in his first-ever AO semifinal on Friday, just two wins away from becoming the youngest men’s player to complete a Career Grand Slam. For a player who already owns six major titles, the AO has long been the missing piece - and in 2026, he looks more determined than ever to claim it. He has also gotten off to a stellar start. But despite his flawless run so far, Alcaraz remains his own toughest critic.

Alcaraz has been nothing short of dominant in Melbourne this year. Through five matches, he hasn’t dropped a single set, silencing questions about his past struggles at the tournament and his offseason preparation. His QF demolition of hometown favorite Alex de Minaur (7-5, 6-2, 6-1) marked his deepest run at Melbourne Park and served as a powerful statement of intent.

But after his win over De Minaur, when Alcaraz was asked to compare his current form to the level he displayed during his sensational 2025 US Open campaign, where he defeated Jannik Sinner in the final to lift his sixth major title, he said, “I don’t know. I would say the level of the US Open is higher than the level I’m playing right now, but it’s pretty close. We can discuss.”

It’s a revealing insight into the mindset of a champion who refuses to settle, even when he’s winning comfortably. Carlos Alcaraz further added, “I let the people talk about it and say which level is the best, if the U.S. Open or this one. I would say with the level I was serving and the way I was doing everything at the U.S. Open, for me, it was unmatchable, I guess. Just happy and proud of how I’m playing here.”

At the US Open, he dropped only a single set in the entire tournament, and that too came in the final against Sinner. Last season, Alcaraz and Sinner built a compelling rivalry, meeting in three major finals - Alcaraz emerging victorious at Roland Garros and the US Open. Now, with the AO potentially completing his Grand Slam collection, the stakes feel higher than ever.

For years, Melbourne Park has been the one blemish on an otherwise sparkling resume for Carlos Alcaraz. Until this week, the Spaniard had never advanced past the QF here, and his AO win percentage lagged behind his stellar record at Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open. That disparity fueled criticism about his early-season rhythm and offseason readiness. This year, so far, Alcaraz has answered every doubt with his racket.

What did Carlos Alcaraz say about his incredible run at the 2026 AO and his next opponent?

Carlos Alcaraz continues to look like a man on a mission at the 2026 AO. After brushing aside home favorite Alex de Minaur in a commanding QF display, the Spaniard has now surged into his first-ever SF at Melbourne Park.

While the scoreline suggested a comfortable win, Alcaraz acknowledged that Alex de Minaur pushed him hard early on. The first set unfolded as a thrilling exchange of pace and pressure, with both players trading breaks in a high-speed battle. Alcaraz sprinted to a 3-0 lead, only for the Aussie to claw his way back to 3-3. Even after breaking to go up 5-4, Alcaraz was forced to reset when De Minaur struck back once more. But once Alcaraz sealed the opening set, the contest shifted dramatically. When asked if it was his best performance of the tournament so far, the Spaniard didn’t hesitate.

“Yes, I think managing the matches has been one of my best things so far — one of the main goals for me. It’s something I’m trying to put into work every practice. If I practice for two hours, two and a half hours, playing sets or against another player, I’m just trying to play at the same level and have the same concentration point after point after point.”

That mental consistency has been a key focus during his offseason, and the results are showing. Carlos Alcaraz credited his improved mindset and concentration as a major reason behind his dominant run in Melbourne.

“I think the work pays off. I’m having a great mindset and great concentration during the whole tournament, and I’m really proud to see all the hard work paying off.”

Now, standing between Alcaraz and a maiden AO final is Alexander Zverev, a familiar rival and one of the most dangerous players left in the draw. The German is chasing back-to-back AO finals and his elusive first Grand Slam title, coming off an emphatic win over rising star Learner Tie. What did Alcaraz say about his next opponent, though?

“The week before, we practiced with other players, and I got one practice with him. The level was really, really high. It was 7–6, probably one hour and thirty minutes of sets. High level of tennis, high level of intensity.” He’s also been impressed by watching Zverev’s tournament run.

“I’ve watched his matches, and it’s been impressive — the level he’s playing so far. It’s going to be a great battle. I know he’s serving pretty well. He’s playing really solid and aggressive when he can from the baseline.” Carlos Alcaraz further added, “I will be ready for sure. I’m excited about playing him here in the semi-final. I know what I have to do, and I’ll be well prepared. If he wants to beat me, he has to sweat a lot.”

The pair are locked at 6-6 in their H2H, though Alcaraz has won three of their last four encounters. But who do you think will have the last laugh in Melbourne this time?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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