Alcaraz's next opponent is one of the "crazy" players on the tour: "It's going to be a very fun match"

Jose Morón | 21 Jan 2026 | 09.49

Carlos Alcaraz, before facing Moutet in the next round: "It's going to be a very fun match"

Streaming ATP Madrid live tennis

🎾 Elmer Moller vs Hugo Gaston

Sign up with Bet365 here
Make your first deposit of at least €5
Go to the “Live” section and watch every match

Watch the match on Bet365

It was tough at the beginning, but Carlos Alcaraz gradually took control of a match that became difficult initially against Hanfmann, who proved to be a tough opponent with powerful shots from the baseline. It wasn't a day to shine, but Carlitos managed to advance to the third round of the Australian Open without dropping a set, which is the most important thing.

Nevertheless, Alcaraz needed nearly three hours to defeat the German. It was a challenging match that helped the Spaniard elevate his game and fine-tune certain aspects that can assist him in upcoming matches, where the road gets tougher and opponents are more formidable.

Speaking to the press, the player from Murcia acknowledged that often the perception from the court does not align with the actual game, something he corrects through analysis with his team. He discussed his constant adaptation process, technical adjustments—especially in his serve—and most importantly, the mental work he has undertaken to better manage difficult moments.

Carlos Alcaraz assures we will enjoy the match against Moutet in the third round of the Australian Open

About Moutet, his next opponent

He is a very unpredictable player; you never know what to expect. Despite having a wide range of shots in his arsenal, he follows a pattern of using slices, drop shots, playing aggressively, hitting lobs, and approaching the net. Although he does many things, I recognize the pattern of play he has. We will strive to stay focused, give our best, bring our level and pace to the match, and see what happens. What I can guarantee is that it will be an entertaining match.

Alcaraz seemed frustrated in the first set

Today we tried to be as positive as we could. There were moments where I got frustrated more than I should have. For those who know me, it might have been evident on my face, but it's something we will work on. I have been out of competitive play for a long time. This is the second match of the season. Gradually, we will find our rhythm, become more aware of things. Talking to my team afterward, they said they saw me in good form. That relaxed me a bit more. This will be very helpful in approaching the next round with a different perspective on the game, as sometimes you might think one thing is happening, but it's actually something entirely different. So, we will try to find a positive rhythm and become more aware of the positive occurrences.

About Osaka's outfit before stepping onto the court

I am not one to take big fashion risks. I don't go out with an umbrella, but it's a great way to express what you feel. Ultimately, it's good not to focus on others' opinions or what they think. If you feel a certain way or want to express what you like, go for it. We've seen Naomi Osaka do this walk-on a few times already, with her unique style. If that's how she feels, it's terrific. I am aiming to bring something different to tournaments, something unique in daily life. As a big sneaker fan, I show up every day with different ones, with a distinct vibe. That's what I like. I am trying to set aside others' opinions and show what I feel. So, if Naomi felt that way, it's welcome, and it's very positive for the tennis world.

Major changes in his game in the last two years

I would say, especially in the technical aspect. The serve is the stroke in which I have made the most changes, especially in the last year. I haven't touched much on the other shots, but beyond strokes, I have worked a lot on how I conduct myself on court, how I talk to myself, how I approach each match and tournament, and how I handle difficult moments. These mental adjustments have been a priority for me in this past year.

About his return

In general, I am working on improving my return. Sometimes it depends on how I feel: if I step forward more, if I wait back a bit... Here in Melbourne, there is usually wind almost every day, making it challenging to adjust the shot, especially if you are far from the baseline. I try to find the best solution for each point. It's something I want to enhance, without a doubt.

If he feels pressured to be a tennis ambassador

I don't dwell on that much. I don’t go out on court thinking about being a tennis ambassador. It's true that sometimes my style of play aims to entertain and engage people to watch more tennis, but I don't do it under that pressure. I simply do what I love, which is playing tennis. I believe that is the best way to be a good ambassador: loving what you do and enjoying every second on the court.

Blister issues in the initial days of competition in Australia

Luckily, I still don't have blisters on my hand, so that's good news (smiles). I do have some on my feet, and it's not very comfortable, to be honest, but sometimes you have to be a warrior. If you feel pain, you have to live with it and try to perform as well as you can. Having blisters on the hand, where you grip the racket, would indeed be a serious problem, but for now, I don't have them. I hope I never do.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El próximo rival de Alcaraz es uno de los "locos" del circuito: "Va a ser un partido muy divertido"