Carlos Alcaraz reveals tattoo 'plan' if he wins Australian Open 2025 title after second-round victory - 'That's my idea'

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Carlos Alcaraz has revealed that he will get a kangaroo tattoo should he win the Australian Open title. The Spaniard, the world No. 3, is bidding to complete a career Grand Slam 'down under', with the Melbourne title the only major crown that eludes him. The 21-year-old moved into the last 16 of the tournament with a four-sets victory over Portuguese player Nuno Borges, 6-2 6-4 6-7(3) 6-2.

Alcaraz says he tries to play 'different tennis' to 'make people happy'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Carlos Alcaraz is known for getting tattoos to commemorate the Grand Slam titles that he wins, and he has revealed his "idea" for if he wins the Australian Open.

The Spaniard, the four-time Grand Slam champion, is seeking to complete a career Grand Slam at the age of just 21, after his US Open, French Open, and double Wimbledon titles.

The Melbourne crown is the only major that alludes him, and he took another step towards completing the feat as he defeated Nuno Borges in four sets on Rod Laver Arena to reach the last 16.

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Alcaraz did not have things all his own way in the 6-2 6-4 6-7(3) 6-2 victory, dropping the third set via a tie-break to keep him on court longer than he would have wanted to be, but he re-found his golden touch in the fourth to reach round four, where he could cross paths with an ex-conqueror of his, Jack Draper, or one of the remaining home hopefuls Aleksandar Vukic.

In his post-match interview, Alcaraz was asked what tattoo he would get to celebrate a potential Australian Open title, and the Spaniard revealed that "the plan" was to get a kangaroo, the national animal of Australia.

"It’s a kangaroo [tattoo], that’s for sure," Alcaraz said with a smile as the fans inside Rod Laver Arena laughed.

"That’s my idea. The only thing that I missed is lifting the trophy here. The plan and the idea are already taken [care of]."

'Phenomenal' Alcaraz wins in four sets with 'plenty of moments of magic'

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Alcaraz already has tattoos of the date of his US Open win - September 11, 2022 - the Eiffel Tower, and a strawberry to recognise his major titles.

The match itself seemed as though it would go routinely for the Spaniard, who broke Borges in the very first game of the match.

He secured the double-break at 5-2 before clinically serving it out in just 31 minutes, and he was an hour and six minutes in when he found himself two sets up and cruising.

However, Borges would launch a stirring comeback - at least in the interim - even earning himself a set point opportunity at 6-5 up in the third, but eventually, he seized the initiative in the breaker, as a couple of uncharacteristic unforced errors began to creep into Alcaraz's game.

The 21-year-old swiftly put the setback behind him to regain control in the fourth, breaking Borges in his first service game of the set, and sealed the victory with one final break for good measure, converting his one and only match point to move into the last 16.

Watch as 'out of this world' Alcaraz takes Borges 'by complete surprise'

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"I missed Rod Laver [Arena]," said Alcaraz, who had only played on Margaret Court Arena up to this point.

"I’m really happy to be able to play here once again. I tried my best out here. It’s been a pleasure every time I step out onto this court. It’s a really beautiful court.

"The last time that I played here, I lost, so I really wanted to play here and get the win on Rod Laver.

"I’m happy to see a full crowd watching my matches. It’s a privilege to feel this love in Australia, in another part of the world. I’m trying to play different tennis; with different kinds of shots.

"That makes me enjoy playing tennis, makes me smile on court and helps me to show really good tennis, and try to entertain the people. That’s what matters."

Alcaraz drops set but overcomes Borges to progress - Australian Open highlights

Video credit: TNT Sports

Alcaraz to let Courier have 'crazy' Yarra river jump, rules out copy if he completes career Slam

Alcaraz said that he would not copy Eurosport expert Jim Courier's 1992 celebration when the American won the Australian Open title.

Courier dove straight into the murky waters of the Yarra river immediately after he beat Stefan Edberg in the final at Melbourne Park, winning his second Grand Slam trophy of his career.

Alcaraz is chasing that elusive Australian Open crown that would confirm him as the youngest player to ever complete a career Grand Slam, but he stopped short of committing himself to a river dive, instead insisting that the commemorative tattoos were "more than enough".

"I think I’m going to let [Jim Courier] have that crazy thing [jumping into the Yarra River]," Alcaraz exclusively told Eurosport's Barbara Schett.

"I think the tattoo is more than enough for me. At that time, the people were a bit crazier. I’m not going to do that, no."

Courier, listening in to the conversation, replied: "If he only knew it was my coach’s fault.

"Don’t listen to Juan Carlos Ferrero if he suggests it, stay strong, young man!"

On how he viewed his performance against Borges, taking another step closer to that Australian Open title, Alcaraz added: "Most of the time [I can reach that next level]," he said.

"I feel like my level could be higher in this tournament. The three matches that I played, I thought my level could be higher. That’s what I want in the next few rounds. That’s made me happy [entertaining the crowd], that makes me enjoy stepping on the court and playing tennis, to be able to show these kinds of shots and points, just for them. It puts a smile on my face and when I show my best tennis."

Watch and stream the 2025 Australian Open live on Eurosport and discovery+

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