Carlos Alcaraz has made no secret of his ambition to win his first Australian Open, calling it a top priority for 2026 after having come up short in Melbourne on previous occasions.
In an interview on Spain’s El Partidazo de Cope radio show, the 22-year-old said he would rather lift the trophy in Melbourne than defend his titles at the French Open or U.S. Open next year. Alcaraz reached the quarter-finals in both 2024 and 2025, but hasn’t gone any further.
Despite closing out the season as world No. 1, he remains modest about his place in the game. “I’m far from being the best player … there are still many players who can beat me,” he said.
Alcaraz also shared a long-term aim: to overtake Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam record. He stated that he would gladly finish his career with 23 majors — a target he shows no fear admitting out loud.
Winning in Australia would also bring him a step closer to a career Grand Slam, a goal he described as “very important.”
With his two-year streak of Grand Slam success already underway, Alcaraz believes the time is right to conquer Melbourne Park. As he puts it, breaking his Australian Open “duck” isn’t just about adding another trophy — it’s about completing his legacy.
