Carlos Alcaraz 'has a lot to learn' after 'falling into same trap' in Australian Open defeat

Carlos Alcaraz 'has a lot to learn' after 'falling into same trap' in Australian Open defeat

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Carlos Alcaraz is knocked out of the Australian Open

Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 24/01/2024

- 19:11

The Spaniard has been knocked out by Germany's Alexander Zverev

Justine Henin claims Carlos Alcaraz has a harsh lesson to learn from following his Australian Open exit.

Alcaraz was beaten by Alexander Zverev in Wednesday's quarter-final to end hopes of a maiden title in Melbourne.


Zverev dropped just four games in the first two sets to put his opponent immediately on the back foot.

Alcaraz won a dramatic tie-break in the third to keep alive his chances of pulling off a comeback.

Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz was knocked out of the Australian Open by Alexander Zverev

Getty

But in the early hours of the morning in Australia, it was Zverev who saw out victory to set up a semi-final against Daniil Medvedev on Friday.

Alcaraz missed the chance to reach the last four in Melbourne for the first time.

The 20-year-old has two Grand Slam singles titles to his name and is the world No 2.

But former seven-time major winner Henin believes he still has plenty to learn, claiming he made the same mistake as he did at last year's US Open.

Henin told Eurosport: "He was hoping for more after a complicated end to last season and a difficult defeat at the US Open.

"Today, he's fallen into the same trap. When he can't develop his creativity, when things don't go his way, he loses himself tactically.

"Carlos Alcaraz still has a lot of learning to do. He won this third set thanks to a minor miracle, as Zverev tightened up a little.

"At that point, you wondered whether he was going to find the right structure to turn things around for him. That's what he's been lacking: stability and precision.

"Despite all his qualities, I think that's what he needs to learn. Today, he was unable to react for almost three sets.

"There was a customer in front of him, but Alcaraz lost his way by trying to rush things, by playing too fast."

Boris Becker was also disappointed with Alcaraz's performance and bemoaned a high number of unforced errors.

The German said: "Carlos was very playful today - I would even say too playful. He made an unusually high number of mistakes in the first two sets.

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Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz

Alexander Zverev beat Carlos Alcaraz in four sets at the Australian Open

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"He played too many stops and had no balance in his game. Nevertheless, compliments to him for fighting back in the third set."

Becker was impressed with his compatriot Zverev, though, and reckons he has what it takes to win his maiden Grand Slam this week.

He added: "A fabulous performance and an incredibly high level from Sascha Zverev. He also kept his nerve after losing the third set.

Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz has been told he has plenty to learn after his Australian Open exit

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"Three almost perfect sets and the fighter's heart to be able to turn the wheel again in the fourth set against a reinvigorated Alcaraz, that was very special.

"[He won] 95 per cent of points at the net, can we show that to Sascha? That's how he wins the Australian Open!"

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