Australian Open 2025: Jim Courier backs 'amazing' Carlos Alcaraz to become youngest man to complete career Grand Slam

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Eurosport's newest expert Jim Courier believes that Carlos Alcaraz has what it takes to become the youngest male player to win a career Grand Slam. The 21-year-old Spaniard is chasing an elusive Australian Open title to complete his set of majors, after his US Open triumph in 2022, and two Wimbledon crowns either side of the 2024 French Open. The world No. 3 could beat Rafael Nadal's record.

'He has a tough draw' - Courier on Alcaraz maybe breaking his Slam finals record

Video credit: TNT Sports

Eurosport expert Jim Courier has backed Carlos Alcaraz to become the youngest ever male player to win a career Grand Slam. 
The Spaniard is bidding to complete his set of major titles in Melbourne after his debut Grand Slam came at the 2022 US Open. He followed that up with Wimbledon titles in 2023 and 2024, as well as the 2024 French Open crown. 
Alcaraz, 21, progressed into the fourth round on Friday with a four-set victory over Nuno Borges, suffering a brief third-set scare when the Portuguese won a tie-break. 
He will face the winner of Jack Draper - who beat him sensationally at Queen’s Club last year - and Aleksandar Vukic, one of the few Australians still standing. 
Courier, the four-time major champion and newest addition to the Eurosport panel, believes that Alcaraz’s complete profile will be enough to see him break the record, which is currently held by the Spaniard's compatriot Rafael Nadal, who was 24 years old when he completed the sensational feat. 
Alcaraz would not be the youngest ever, however, with Steffi Graf just 19 years old when she won all four.
"I think he will break it," Courier said. 
"He has everything he needs to do that. He has a tough draw this year for sure, but you don't want to put it past him by any means. He's just such an amazing athlete and such a great kid for the game. I mean, my kids love him."
Should Alcaraz get through Draper or Vukic, he could lock horns with 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, who he defeated in a thrilling Wimbledon final last summer
Djokovic, 37, has a new coach in his corner, in the shape of the recently-retired and three-time major champion Andy Murray
Courier suggested Alcaraz will need to improve on his performance against Borges if he faces Djokovic later in the tournament.
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'Phenomenal' Alcaraz wins in four sets with 'plenty of moments of magic'

Video credit: TNT Sports

"Borges can rip the forehand," Courier explained. 
"He can take his chances and Alcaraz's game is predicated on so much offence he takes a little risk and sometimes that comes with some mistakes. 
"So for him, it's all about just the big, big picture. But overall for Alcaraz, adapting now to his new service motion, adapting to a rocket that is heavier than the one he won the majors with last season. 
"Those are a lot of adjustments to make and he's making it look so seamless, and it looks like we're headed towards a collision course in the quarter-finals. Everybody that we might just be interested in."
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Watch as 'out of this world' Alcaraz takes Borges 'by complete surprise'

Video credit: TNT Sports


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