Carlos Alcaraz's Australian Open 3R opponent sends word of caution to Spaniard

Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz received a word of caution from Portuguese player Nuno Borges, ready to face each other in the Australian Open third round on January 17, 2025. Alcaraz came fresh off a mixed 2024 season that ended with the round-robin exit at the ATP Finals.

Alcaraz started his 2024 season with the Australian Open, reaching the quarterfinals but facing defeat to Alexander Zverev. Looking to record a better run, he appeared in the 2025 edition of the first Grand Slam of the year in Melbourne, going against Alexander Shevchenko in the first round.

The Spaniard defeated Shevchenko in straight sets and advanced to the second round opposite Yoshihito Nishioka. Repeating the same feat, he booked a slot in the third round on January 17. But before the match, he received a caution from Nuno Borges, who seemed unbothered with Alcaraz's ranking, promising to 'mess' with the Olympian.

"Cool. His ranking really doesn't matter. When he is playing his best and can beat everybody. I will try to play my best and mess with him a little bit."

Borges, the Portuguese player who achieved a career-high ATP singles ranking of world No. 30, reached a historic fourth round at the 2024 Australian Open, his first in a Grand Slam. This year, he ousted Alexandre Muller in 1R and Jordan Thompson in 2R to advance to 3R.

Carlos Alcaraz looks to become the youngest player to win Career Grand Slams

Carlos Alcaraz at the 2025 Australian Open - Day 2 - (Source: Getty)

Alcaraz won four Grand Slams, a French Open, a US Open, and two Wimbledon. En route to the third round of this year's Australian Open, the 21-year-old would be the youngest player to win the career Grand Slam if he takes the title in Melbourne.

In an interview, Alcaraz said that the historic title win would put his name on the list of nine players. He said, via ESPN:

"That's one of the reasons I really want to win this tournament one day, just to put my name on that short list. Hopefully [it's] this year."

Alcaraz's second-round match against the Japanese player Nishioka ended in 81 minutes. Shedding light on that, he said:

"The less time you spend on the court in the Grand Slams, especially at the beginning of the tournament, it's gonna be better, especially physically. I just try to be focused on spending as less time as I can."

Carlos Alcaraz amassed 16 ATP Tour-level singles titles in his career so far. He reached the World No. 1 position after defeating Casper Ruud in the 2022 US Open finals.