"I think he will break it": Jim Courier backs Carlos Alcaraz to complete career Grand Slam amid Australian Open charge

Nobody other than Carlos Alcaraz has made such a meteoric rise to the top of the tennis world. At just 21 years old, the Spaniard has already achieved what many players only dream of. It is remarkable to think that, given his age, he may still be years away from reaching his prime. As a new season begins, Alcaraz will be looking to secure his fifth grand slam title in Melbourne, a victory that would place him in elite company.

A career Grand Slam is achieved when a player wins all four major titles: the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. Alcaraz is aiming to lift the trophy down under to complete the set, and pundit Jim Courier has backed him to accomplish the feat.

Carlos Alcaraz through to the fourth round

Growing up idolising Rafa Nadal, Alcaraz always aspired to follow in the footsteps of his legendary compatriot. It is safe to say he is well on his way to doing just that. Currently ranked third in the world, Alcaraz is eager to reclaim the no. 1 ranking as soon as possible. As mentioned earlier, he has already won three of the four grand slam titles, with the Australian Open being the only missing piece. The former world no. 1 will fancy his chances of claiming it in the coming days.

Alcaraz secured his place in the fourth round after defeating Nuno Borges in a four-set battle. In a match that lasted over three hours, the Spaniard earned a 6-2, 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-2 victory. After a dominant start, winning the first two sets with aggressive play, the two-time grand slam champion had to weather a fightback from Borges. However, Alcaraz proved too strong for his Portuguese opponent, comfortably closing out the fourth set.

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One of the most impressive aspects of the match was Alcaraz's offensive game, with the Spaniard hitting over 40 winners throughout the contest. He will carry this momentum into the fourth round, where he will face either Jack Draper or Aleksandar Vukic. The ultimate goal remains clear: to win the Australian Open and become the youngest male player in history to complete a career grand slam.

Jim Courier backs Alcaraz for history

Former world no. 1 Jim Courier believes Alcaraz has what it takes to achieve this incredible milestone.

"I think he will break it. He has everything he needs to do that. He has a tough draw this year, but you don’t want to put it past him. He’s an amazing athlete and a great kid for the game. I mean, my kids love him."

Courier’s praise reflects the excitement surrounding Alcaraz’s journey, as he continues to establish himself as one of the best young players in tennis history.

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A tough road lies ahead

Carlos Alcaraz 

Despite his strong form, Alcaraz’s path to the title will not be easy. The road ahead is lined with formidable opponents, with a potential showdown against Novak Djokovic looming in the later rounds. According to Eurosport’s Jim Courier, Alcaraz will need to step up his game if he wants to match the level of a player like Djokovic.

"Borges can rip the forehand," Courier explained."He can take his chances, and Alcaraz's game is predicated on so much offence that he takes a little risk, and sometimes that comes with some mistakes."

Courier also pointed out that Alcaraz is making key adjustments to his game, including adapting to a new service motion and using a heavier racquet than the one he used to win his previous grand slam titles.

"Those are a lot of adjustments to make, and he's making it look so seamless. We're heading towards a collision course in the quarter-finals. Everybody is interested in seeing that."

With the possibility of a Djokovic vs. Alcaraz showdown, the excitement surrounding the tournament continues to grow.

Can Alcaraz make history?

Alcaraz is an incredible talent, and his pursuit of a career grand slam before his 22nd birthday adds another layer of intrigue to his already remarkable career. If he continues his current trajectory, the young Spaniard could soon make history and cement his place among the sport’s greatest players.

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