Carlos Alcaraz intends to get a kangaroo tattoo to honor his victory at the Australian Open.
MELBOURNE, Australia — Carlos Alcaraz is considering getting a small kangaroo tattoo on one of his legs.
This would serve as a permanent reminder of his victory over Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open men’s final on Sunday, which made him the youngest male player at 22 to achieve a career Grand Slam.
“I already know it’s going to be a kangaroo. I just don’t know the place,” Alcaraz stated. “I’m just thinking about the leg but I don’t know which calf, whether it will be the right or left one.”
On Monday, Alcaraz posed for photographers with the ornate Australian Open trophy, dressed casually in black loafers without socks. The photo session took place at the Royal Exhibition Building amidst gardens in central Melbourne.
The women’s singles champion, Elena Rybakina, was photographed with her trophy on Saturday along the banks of the Yarra River, which flows through Melbourne.
As reported by Australian media, Alcaraz spent the night following his victory with family in his hotel suite, ordering pizza, beer, and champagne.
In a social media update to fans during the photo shoot, Alcaraz expressed, “I still can’t believe that I just made it.”
“A dream come true for me, a career Grand Slam. I’m enjoying this amazing moment. I can’t forget the support and the love I’ve received.”
After securing a 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 win over Djokovic, a 10-time Australian Open champion, Alcaraz admitted, “I hate to lose.”
He elaborated on his thoughts at the moment of his victory.
“Before the last point … a lot of things came to my mind, to be honest,” Alcaraz remarked. “I was really nervous, I was shaking almost. So once I saw the ball go out, I was like ‘alright, I made it.’
“It was a great feeling, thinking about my family and my team as well.”
He is now focused on winning every major title in tennis: three Masters 1000 titles that have so far eluded him, a season-ending championship, and a Davis Cup with Spain. He has claimed six of the nine Masters 1000 titles but has yet to win the Canadian Open, Shanghai, and the Paris Masters.
“I hate to lose, so that’s my motivation. Trying to lose as little as I can,” Alcaraz noted. “Yeah, there are some tournaments that I really wanted to win at least once. A few Masters 1000 I just really wanted to complete all the Masters 1000, trying to win each one at least once.
“Obviously the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup is a goal as well. I really wanted to achieve that for my country, for Spain. I set up some other goals for the season and I will try to be ready for, or to try to get those goals.”
Alcaraz has joined the ranks of Don Budge, Fred Perry, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Djokovic as only the ninth man to win all four Grand Slams. He was younger than Budge by 91 days and significantly younger than Nadal, who was 24 and three months, Federer, who was almost 28, and Djokovic, who was 29.
“I’m going to say tennis is really beautiful but the downside of tennis is we have tournaments week after week after week and sometimes you don’t realize what you’ve been doing lately,” he explained. “Because once you finish a tournament, you’ve got to be prepared and your mind is about going to the next tournament.
“What I’ve learned this year is to appreciate and enjoy every single second of the moment you’re living. Not only lifting the trophies but playing tournaments, playing tennis, getting victories, getting losses. Whatever it is, just enjoy and appreciate the life you’re living.”
While Alcaraz has recognized the 38-year-old Djokovic as a source of inspiration, he is uncertain about his own longevity.
“You know, let’s see how long I will be playing. Hopefully being in such great shape at 38, competing and challenging the young players, and playing finals of grand slams.”
Source: espn.com
