Garbine Muguruza shares what she’s noticed about Carlos Alcaraz ahead of the Australian Open

As the Australian Open draws closer, anticipation around Carlos Alcaraz’s chances of winning the title is only increasing.

After all, the Spaniard is coming off the back of a second US Open title on hard courts, having finished the year ranked world number one.

He is, undeniably, on top of the world, and will be expected to finally progress further than the quarter-finals in Melbourne just next month.

However, as he and others continue to ramp up the pressure on this specific tournament, it will be really interesting to see how he copes.

A compatriot of his, and a fellow former world number one in Garbine Muguruza, has shared what she’s noticed about the 22-year-old in the run-up to the first major of the year.

Garbine Muguruza left shocked by Carlos Alcaraz

Speaking with Spanish outlet Teledeporte, the 32-year-old admitted that Carlos Alcaraz’s rapid rise to the top of the men’s game has stunned her.

And, the way in which he continues to dominate, all with a smile on his face, only adds to his popularity.

Muguruza admitted: “I take off my hat with everything he is achieving.

“It is very difficult to understand what he has done this year. He is very motivated, from what I see, for this Australian Open, which is the one he lacks. But what can I say, so much talent, so young, so carefree… How can you be so good, so young, and so fast? It’s a mystery to me, on top of that, with that smile and naturalness he has.

“He is a unique being. Who would have thought that after Rafa Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz would arrive? We are all hallucinating. I am very happy to have a reference for young people like Alcaraz, it can’t be better, it’s ideal.”

Ahead of the new season, Juan Carlos Ferrero has set Alcaraz a goal for 2026, which does not include completing the career Grand Slam and winning the Australian Open.

Carlos Alcaraz’s Australian Open desperation could make or break him

So many times over the years have players pined after one trophy.

Whether it be their favourite tournament, or to complete their collection, historically, placing undue added pressure on one accolade has never worked out well.

It makes entering that event a nervous exercise, with those nerves only increasing the deeper into the event a player goes.

Pete Sampras placed plenty of importance on winning the French Open and admitted the stress only hampered his chances. Similarly, Novak Djokovic waited until he was 38 to finally win an Olympic gold medal and complete his trophy cabinet, suffering so much heartache in the years beforehand.

Alcaraz will want to be careful that he does not go down the same path, as the nerves and pressure will only increase as his career goes on if he continues to fall short in Melbourne.