The Spaniard appeared taken aback at the on-court question from Jim Courier.
Carlos Alcaraz has admitted he felt shy answering Jim Courier’s question on court after being surprised when asked about who he watches on the women’s tour after his fourth round victory. Alcaraz put in his best performance to dismantle Miomir Kecmanovic in straight sets at the Australian Open.
The Spaniard has found his rhythm with his forehand and produced a number of breathtaking tennis shots to leave the tennis world in awe of his groundstrokes. And after the match, Alcaraz joined Courier on Rod Laver Arena for the traditional interview.
And Courier didn’t waste the opportunity in asking Alcaraz which players he likes to watch in his spare time. “Well I’m a huge fan of tennis. I like to watch every match if I can,” Alcaraz said. He then listed a number of his rivals as his favourites to watch.
“I like to watch every match if I can. But I love watching play Daniil Medvedev, Novak [Djokovic], [Jannik] Sinner as well,” he added. “Those guys, I like to watch, because every time they step on the court, they put their best level and, as a huge fan of tennis, I like to watch a pretty good, high level. And those are the best players in the world I like to watch.”
However, Courier then threw it back to him and asked about the women’s tour. “Well, I watch WTA as well,” Alcaraz said, despite looking nervous about the question. “No, I mean, when I can obviously. When I turn the TV on, if it is WTA, ATP, whatever, I like to watch it obviously.”
Since the question, Alcaraz copped a bit of flack for not listing a number of women stars during his on-court interview. However, the 21-year-old Spaniard moved to clarify he was shy mentioning names during his on-court interview and he is a fan of Emma Raducanu.
“I was too shy to say it but my favourite player is Raducanu,” he said in the press conference after the Courier interview. “I watched her first round match, it’s so good to see her back. I was afraid of the reaction from the public. I am shy with girls.” Unfortunately, Alcaraz will have to wait to see Raducanu play again in singles with the British superstar knocked out in the second round of the Australian Open to Wang Yafan.
Alcaraz after his win
Courier: “Who do you like to watch?”
Carlos: “Daniil, Novak, Sinner”
Courier: “What about WTA?”
Carlos: “I watch WTA as well… When I can obviously. When I turn the tv on. (Smiling)If it’s WTA, ATP, whatever, I like to watch
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 22, 2024
Carlos Alcaraz sets up Alexander Zverev clash
Alcaraz played his best match of the tournament against Kecmanovic with his forehand particularly on song during the contest. When asked what he felt worked out on Rod Laver Arena, Alcaraz admitted it was a great night.
“Everything,” Alcarasz said of what worked on Monday night. “I did everything almost perfectly. “It was pretty good match, but I push him to the limit in every ball, every point and he has played a lot of tough matches before this one, so physically he wasn’t at 100 per cent.
“It’s a pleasure to play here in Rod Laver, it’s an amazing court and a very beautiful one.” The quarter-final is the furthest Alcaraz has progressed at the Australian Open having missed last year’s tournament due to injury.
The Spaniard will now play German sixth seed Alexander Zverev, who survived a five-set epic against Cameron Norrie to progress to his third quarter-final at Melbourne Park. “Playing at this level I will have my chances … (Zverev) has played tough matches as well, five sets, tiebreakers in the fifth set, so it’s going to be tough for him,” Alcaraz said. “I love playing against Sasha (Zverev), we bring a high level of tennis, and for the crowd it’s a great match.”
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