3 things that could stop Carlos Alcaraz from winning the Australian Open 2025

Carlos Alcaraz was one of the most in-form players in the 2024 season. The Spaniard won two Grand Slam titles and an Olympic silver medal to cap off a successful season.

The highlight of Alcaraz's season was his title defense at the Wimbledon. The 21-year-old brushed aside Novak Djokovic in straight sets to win at the SW19 for the second consecutive years. Despite a successful year, Alcaraz finished the year as World No. 3 and will be the third seed at the Australian Open 2025.

While the Spaniard will start as one of the favorites for the title, he could face some issues in Melbourne. Here is a list of three things that could prevent Alcaraz from winning the Australian Open 2025.

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#1. Lack of pre-season before the Australian Open

Carlos Alcaraz opted against playing any tournaments in the build-up to the Australian Open. The Spaniard's last competitive match was at the Davis Cup in mid-November against Tallon Griekspoor.

Alcaraz did not play in Brisbane or any other ATP tournaments as a 'warm-up' for the Australian Open. However, the 21-year-old competed in an exhibition match against Alex de Minaur in Australia, which he lost.

His other competators like Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz are fresh off a decent pre-season at the Brisbane International and the United Cup, respectivel. Thus, Alcaraz could be slow to kick start his Australian Open campaign and find his feet at the hard courts in Melboure.

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#2. The pressure of completing a Career Grand Slam

Carlos Alcaraz will chase a historic achievement when he begins his campaign at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. The Spaniard is an Australian Open title away from completing a Career Grand Slam at the age of 21.

Alcaraz will become the youngest men's player in tennis history to complete a Career Grand Slam if he wins the Australian Open. Rafael Nadal currently holds that record when he completed his Career Grand Slam at the age of 24, a record Alcaraz would break with an Australian Open victory in either 2025, 2026, or 2027.

Having won the Wimbledon, US Open, and French Open titles in the last three years, Alcaraz is yet to conquer the hard courts of Melbourne. The pressure to win and complete the Career Grand Slam has weighed heavy on tennis greats like Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the past and Alcaraz will have to fight off some jitters if he is to win the illusive Australian Open title in 2025.

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#3. Jannik Sinner's hard court dominance and the form of his other rivals

Jannik Sinner was one of the star performers of hard courts in 2024. The Italian star won the Australia Open and the US Open title and enjoyed incredible success on the hard courts. The 23-year-old won 41 matches and lost just thrice throughout the 2024 season on hard courts.

Along with Sinner's form, Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic's record at the Australian Open could be a problem for Alcaraz. Djokovic is a 10-time winner in Melbourne and is chasing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title. Meanwhile, Medvedev has reached three out of the last four finals at the Australian Open but has failed to get over the line.

With his rivals enjoying the hard courts of Melbourne more than him, Alcaraz could find it tough to get the better of them. The Spaniard could potentially face Novak Djokovic in the quarter-final with a potential meeting with Jannik Sinner in the final of the Australian Open. With a tough draw and no pre-season, Alcaraz could struggle in the first Grand Slam of the new season.