Carlos Alcaraz is already in Melbourne in preparation for the 2026 Australian Open, the main goal of the season for the young player from Murcia, as he himself has acknowledged on several occasions. The world number 1 arrived in the Oceanian country on Sunday, after a trip from Seoul that he shared with his top rival, Jannik Sinner. After that, Alcaraz had his first contact with the courts of Melbourne Park, where he was seen sharing the Rod Laver Arena with another Spanish player. None other than Rafael Jódar, the 19-year-old from Madrid who lost in the final of the Canberra Challenger on Saturday against Alexander Blockx. Jódar will start the Australian Open qualifying rounds tomorrow aiming to enter the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in his career. The Madrid native shared a photo on his Instagram account with Alcaraz after their first training session in Melbourne.
Carlos Alcaraz trained today with tennis player Rafa Jódar. pic.twitter.com/xFoS1IHh3m
— Carlos Alcaraz Brasil (@carlosalcarazbr) January 11, 2026
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Alcaraz y Jódar entrenan juntos en el Rod Laver Arena antes del Open de Australia

