Jim Courier makes his feelings known about Carlos Alcaraz eying to break his record at Australian Open

Jim Courier, a two-time Australian Open champion, believes Carlos Alcaraz has what it takes to beat his record of becoming the youngest male player in the Open era to reach the finals of all four Grand Slams.

Courier was 22 years and 11 months old when he achieved the feat, while Alcaraz is currently 21 years and seven months old. The Spaniard, ranked third in the world, has won all the Majors except the Australian Open.

Speaking to Eurosport, Courier said he is confident of Alcaraz achieving the feat this year if not the next year.

“I think he will break it. He has two chances to do it. If he makes the finals of the Australian Open this year or next year, he will become the youngest male player to be in the finals of all four Majors. Not winning all four Majors, but just (making it) to the finals. Alcaraz has everything he needs to do that,” said Courier.

Alcaraz has enjoyed a good Australian Open so far, easing past his first two rounds in straight sets before getting past Nuno Borges in four sets in the third round. Carlos Alcaraz next faces Jack Draper, the 15th seed, in the fourth round on Sunday, January 19.

He could potentially face the 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinal and then the second seed Alexander Zverev in the semifinal. Courier, though, feels the tough draw will not stop Alcaraz.

“He has a tough draw this year, for sure, but you don’t want to put it past him by any means. He is just such an amazing athlete and such a great kid for the game,” he added.

If Carlos Alcaraz were to win the Australian Open, he would claim another record as he would become the youngest male tennis player to complete a Career Grand Slam - which is achieved when a player wins all four Grand Slams in their career.

Carlos Alcaraz will not do 'crazy' Jim Courier celebration if he lifts Australian Open title

After his third-round win, Alcaraz revealed his plan to get a tattoo of a kangaroo if he wins the Australian Open title. Carlos Alcaraz has a tattoo dedicated to each of his Grand Slam wins: an Eiffel Tower for his French Open crown, a strawberry for his Wimbledon trophies and the date of his US Open 2022 title win.

Hence the former Austrian tennis player Barbara Schett wondered whether Alcaraz would like to emulate Courier and jump into the Yarra River if he won the title in Melbourne this year.

“We heard on the court interview that the next tattoo is going to be a kangaroo, but my question is will you jump into the Yarra River? Because there’s been one crazy guy in 1993. A guy called Jim Courier, who has done that. So he went to the river and jumped in there once he won the trophy. Are you going to do that?” Schett asked.

Carlos Alcaraz swiftly declined the idea of jumping into the river, but reiterated that he would get the kangaroo tattoo.

“I think I’m going to let him do that crazy thing. I think the tattoo is more than enough for me. I think at that time (in 1993) the people were a little bit crazier I guess. But I'm not going to do that, no.”

There's plenty at stake for Alcaraz, if there's one thing we can be sure of, the muscular Spaniard has his eyes hooked on the silverware on offer in Melbourne.