Carlos Alcaraz's Australian Open 3R opponent Nuno Borges credits NCAA experience with Mississippi State for making him a better player

Portugal's Nuno Borges is scheduled to challenge World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz in the third round of the 2025 Australian Open. Borges will play Alcaraz at Melbourne Park on Friday, January 16, after defeating local Jordan Thompson 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in the second round on Wednesday, January 14.

This will be Borges' second clash against Alcaraz. He played the Spaniard for the first time in the 2023 Barcelona Open Round of 32 but lost in straight sets (6-3, 6-1).

Interestingly, Borges grew up on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) circuit, playing tennis for Mississippi State Bulldogs from 2015-19. He was the singles runner-up and won the National Player of the Year award in 2019.

Ahead of his meeting with Carlos Alcaraz, Borges sat down with the media at Melbourne Park and, while responding to a Sportskeeda question, opened up on his experience playing college tennis in the US.

"Even though it was very different, it helped me dealing with a different kind of pressure, a different kind of rhythm on the matches because there’s no lets, it was like they do in the Next Gen. It really helped me to play every point like it really matters," Nuno Borges said.

"You know, at 15-all or 15-30… maybe you feel some pressure, it’s not the end of the world. In college, it feels like you really got no space no room, no margin of error. So, the way I was competing there, I think it helped me push myself to be where I’m today," he added.

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Nuno Borges: "Being in college was good to start becoming independent and growing as a person"

Nuno Borges (Getty)

Answering the same question further at the 2025 Australian Open, Nuno Borges added that attending college meant he stayed away from home, which helped him mature independently.

"A lot has passed since then but it helped me play at least those first few Futures to start my 600s, 500s in the ranking and progressing towards where I’m now. Also, being in college was good to get away from home and start becoming independent and growing as a person," Borges said.

"The age of 18-22 are very important years in your life and you’re maturing as a guy so I think I had the right people there to help me develop there," he added.

Nuno Borges turned pro in 2019 but didn't make his ATP debut until the 2021 Estoril Open.

Interestingly, he defeated Jordan Thompson in his main draw opener to register his first win on the ATP Tour before losing to former US Open champion Marin Cilic in the next round.