Alcaraz fought like a man who still had gas in the tank nobody thought existed.
Carlos Alcaraz ground out a five-set marathon against Alexander Zverev on Friday and immediately pivoted to recovery mode, admitting fatigue and an upper-right leg issue while eyeing a Sunday final that could complete a career Grand Slam for the Spaniard.
Epic Semi-Final And The Injury Question
Alcaraz began to struggle late in the third set with an upper-right leg complaint that he later described as an adductor-type problem, and the trainer was summoned during a changeover for treatment, a stoppage that would spark angry reaction from his opponent and widespread discussion about the rules.
The world No. 1 had not dropped a set through five rounds before this match, yet he admitted afterward that his body ‘‘could be better’’ after such a mammoth contest, immediately listing ice baths and physio as part of his short recovery plan for the final.
Hopefully it’s not going to be nothing at all, but after five-hours-and-a-half match and that high level of physically, I think the muscles are going to be tight, and I just got to do whatever it takes to be as good as I can for the final.
Carlos Alcaraz
The match itself was a roller coaster, with Alcaraz ultimately prevailing after rallying from 3-5 in the final set to win the longest Australian Open semi-final in history, a contest that lasted 5 hours and 27 minutes and ended 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5.
Timeout Controversy And Reactions
When the trainer attended Alcaraz during a changeover, Alexander Zverev exploded toward officials, visibly furious about the decision, which he saw as an unauthorized advantage at a critical moment when he had forced the match back into contention.
Zverev erupted at officials, insisting Alcaraz was cramping and should not get treatment, then shouted: “He has cramp! He can’t take a medical, he is cramping. What else should it be? This is absolute bull****! This is unbelievable. This is not possible. This is not possible. You cannot be serious.”
Miles Maclagan, working as a pundit for TNT Sports, sympathised with Zverev and warned the distinction between cramp and an injury can be fuzzy, saying “The rules become very grey,” and pointing out how that gray area can sway momentum when physios intervene.
Whatever the technicalities of the stoppage, the treatment clearly helped Alcaraz regain enough mobility to keep finding winners and to mount the decisive late break when Zverev was serving for the match at 5-4, prompting a huge response from the Rod Laver Arena crowd.
What Comes Next And Historical Stakes
Alcaraz is now the youngest man in the Open era to reach the finals of all four Grand Slams and stands at the threshold of becoming the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam, a rare historical milestone that adds serious weight to Sunday’s championship match.
He will face either Jannik Sinner or Novak Djokovic in the final, with Djokovic bidding for an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam singles title while Sinner aims to defend his status among the tournament favorites and preserve his recent major form.
The 22-year-old top seed also brings a remarkable clutch record into the decider, sitting at 15-1 in fifth sets, a figure that underlines his ability to lift his game in the most pressure-packed moments and why he remains a formidable finalist despite the recent physical scare.
Between the medical timeout debate and the dramatic comeback, Friday’s semi-final delayed the evening schedule and provided one of the tournament’s most memorable matches, with Alcaraz later ranking it among the best wins of his young, already decorated career.
For now the plan is simple: manage soreness, maximize recovery and hope the adductor complaint is just tightness rather than a true injury. If history is any guide, Alcaraz will lean on stamina, creativity and that stubborn refusal to quit that has defined his development as a champion.
Expect headlines on Sunday about either a completed career Grand Slam or another chapter in Djokovic’s remarkable run. Either outcome will be shaped by how well Alcaraz, who admitted he felt tired, can turn hours of battle into a fresh performance when the final starts.
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Christoph Friedrich is a German tennis player and coach currently residing in Oakland, California. He began his tennis journey at the age of eight and has since dedicated his life to the sport. After working as a tennis coach and hitting partner in New York City for eight years, Christoph decided to share his knowledge and experience with tennis players around the world by creating the My Tennis Expert blog. His goal is to make tennis education accessible to everyone and help players select the best equipment for their game, from racquets and strings to shoes and overgrips. Christoph's extensive research and expertise in tennis technology make him a valuable resource for players of all levels.
