Carlos Alcaraz’s 2024 season is off to a shaky start. After deciding not to play any lead-up tournaments before the Australian Open 2024, the Spaniard has now suffered a loss to in-form Alex de Minaur in an exhibition match.
Instead of playing at the United Cup, Brisbane, or Adelaide International, Carlos Alcaraz had decided to take part in charity matches organized by the Australian Open ahead of the first slam of the year. However, this move may come to bite the 2-time Grand Slam champion back after starting the year with a loss.
Carlos Alcaraz’s record at Australian Open
Alcaraz has not played at the Australian Open since 2022 and has had little to no success at the event. Of all the four slams, his worst results have come in Australia. He has a win percentage of just 60 at the AO, with just three wins in five matches. With his best result being a third-round exit.
He played the Happy Slam for the first time in 2021. After winning four straight matches, he lost to Sweden’s Mikael Ymer in four sets and bowed out of the event in the second round. After playing in the qualifiers in 2021, Carlos Alcaraz moved up in ranking and was seeded 31 in 2022.
After two straight-set wins, he lost a memorable 5-set match against seventh seed Matteo Berettini in the third round. After clinching the world no. 1 ranking at the end of 2022, Alcaraz missed the event in 2023 and will be making his comeback to the Australian Open as a contender for the first time.