Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz, ranked world No. 3, stated to the media in Melbourne that the emerging talents in tennis, such as American Learner Tean and Brazilian Joao Fonseca, will continue to look up to the 'Big 3' (Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic) as their primary references, even ahead of him.

The legacy of the 'Big 3'

"Maybe I can be a reference for them, but above all, it will still be the 'Big 3', just as they were for me. Rafa, Roger, and Djokovic are the true role models," the young player from Murcia said, reflecting on his influence on the future generations of tennis.

Alcaraz also took responsibility for the lack of rhythm he experienced in his match against Portuguese player Nuno Borges, whom he defeated in four sets during the third round. Despite this, he emphasized that he considers himself a strong player under challenging conditions such as windy weather.

"I've played in windy conditions in all my matches. It's a bit tough to adapt, but I think I perform well in the wind. That wasn't the reason I struggled to find my rhythm during the match," explained Alcaraz, who will face British player Jack Draper, the No. 15 seed, in the next round.

Balancing tennis and golf

The three-time Grand Slam champion revealed that during his off days in tournaments, he enjoys unwinding by playing golf with his team. "On my off days, I try to organize everything to play some golf," shared Alcaraz, who humorously mentioned that his fellow Spaniard Paula Badosa is a fan of the TV show "Temptation Island."

Heat and preparation

Alcaraz's next match in the round of 16 is scheduled for Sunday at 5:30 a.m. Mexico time on the Rod Laver Arena center court. His opponent, Draper, has won all his matches in five sets, promising an intense competition. The weather forecast predicts extreme heat, with temperatures potentially exceeding 35 degrees Celsius.

The Spanish player completed his final training session on Court 17 at Melbourne Park under the blazing sun. His team primarily focused on improving his serve, a crucial element to overcome the challenging conditions expected in his upcoming match.