Carlos Alcaraz failed to name a single female tennis player during an awkward on court interview following his fourth round match at the Australian Open
Wimbledon champion and world No.2 Alcaraz barely breezed through to the quarter finals in a 6-4, 6-4, 6-0 victory over Miomir Kecmanovic.
But it was in on-court his chat with tennis legend Jim Courier where he was really made to sweat.
Courier opened by asking Alcaraz: “Men’s, women’s, wheelchair tennis, it doesn’t matter, who are your favourite players to watch when you have spare time?”
“Well I’m a huge fan of tennis,” Alcaraz replied.
“I like to watch every match if I can. But I love watching play Daniil Medvedev, Novak [Djokovic], [Jannik] Sinner as well.
“Those guys, I like to watch, because every time they step on the court, they put their best level and, as a huge fan of tennis, I like to watch a pretty good, high level. And those are the best players in the world I like to watch.”
Courier couldn’t resist a following up question.
“I’m going to put you on the spot, what about WTA?,” Courier probed.
“Well, I watch WTA as well,” Alcaraz answered with a nervous laugh, a reaction that was mirrored by the crowd who sensed his unease.
“No, I mean, when I can obviously. When I turn the TV on, if it is WTA, ATP, whatever, I like to watch it obviously.”
Alcaraz, meanwhile, said he would have to play at his “best level” in his Australian Open quarter-final with Alexander Zverev.
The second seed — seen as the biggest threat to defending champion Novak Djokovic — did not face a single break point in a dominant performance, rolling over his opponent 6-4, 6-4, 6-0 in one hour 49 minutes.
The Spaniard, who chose not to play any competitive tennis in the build-up to the first Grand Slam of the year, said he “did everything perfectly” at Rod Laver Arena.
But admitted he would have to find another gear against sixth seed Zverev, who won their most recent meeting at the ATP Finals to lead their head-to-head 4-3.
“He is a really great player,” said the 20-year-old. “He has beaten great guys here in this tournament.
“Obviously I love playing against him. It’s always tough battles. I have to play my best level. He pushes me to play 100 percent every time.
“The last time we faced each other, I lost so I have to be focused on that. I have to improve my level from that match.”
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