“Believing until the last ball”
Carlos Alcaraz booked his place in his first Australian Open final after an extraordinary five-set battle, overcoming physical struggles and a late deficit to produce one of the most memorable comebacks of the tournament.
Speaking on court after the match, Alcaraz admitted the encounter pushed him to his physical limits, but said belief and determination allowed him to fight through until the final point.
Physical struggle and belief under pressure
Alcaraz revealed that the match was among the most demanding he has played so far in his young career, with the physical toll becoming evident midway through the contest.
“I was struggling physically, especially in the middle of the third set,” Alcaraz said. “It was one of the most demanding matches I have ever played in my career so far.”
Despite the challenges, Alcaraz stressed that giving up was never an option, regardless of the scoreline or how his body was feeling.
“You have to believe in yourself no matter what. No matter what you’re struggling with or what you’ve been through, you have to keep believing all the time.”
Fighting spirit and experience make the difference
According to Alcaraz, experience from previous tough matches helped him remain composed when he found himself a break down for most of the deciding set.
“I’ve been in this kind of situation before. I knew what I had to do,” he explained. “I had to put my heart into the match and fight until the last ball. I knew I was going to have my chances.”
The Spaniard said that approach allowed him to stay patient and ready when momentum finally swung back in his favor.
Pride in the comeback and emotional fifth set
The fifth set, Alcaraz admitted, was played with pure passion rather than calculation. He described the comeback as a moment of personal pride, reflecting both his mental strength and competitive spirit.
“I was playing with a lot of passion in the fifth set,” he said. “I’m extremely proud of myself — of the way I fought and the way I came back.”
Gratitude for the crowd and focus on recovery
Alcaraz also made a point of thanking the crowd, crediting the atmosphere and support for helping him stay connected to the match during difficult moments.
“I couldn’t be here right now without you guys,” he said. “The way you pushed me back into the match, every ball, every point — it was incredible. I’m really grateful for the support during the whole tournament.”
With Sunday’s final ahead, Alcaraz said his attention now turns fully to recovery, as he prepares for the biggest match of his Australian Open campaign.
“My focus right now is on recovering as much as I can,” he said. “I want to be in the best possible state to put on a show for you on Sunday.”
Alcaraz will return to Rod Laver Arena aiming to claim his first Australian Open title and take another historic step in his career.