ATP Tour
Alcaraz: I will do everything I can to prepare for Australian Open final
The world’s number one marathon semi-final against Zverev, which lasted 5 hours and 27 minutes
January 30, 2026
IZHAR KHAN/AFP via Getty Images
Carlos Alcaraz celebrates winning the longest semi-final in Australian Open history (5 hours, 27 seconds).
Andy West
Carlos Alcaraz must exert every last ounce of energy to defeat Alexander Zverev in Friday’s Australian Open Classic. After a semi-final that lasted five hours and 27 minutes inside the Rod Laver Arena, the Spaniard’s attention quickly turned to his physical recovery for Sunday’s championship game.
Alcaraz, who is No. 1 in the PIF ATP rankings, injured his right leg in the final stages of the third set in a 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5 victory over Zverev. He later revealed he believed the problem was with his adductor muscles, but expressed confidence he would be eager to compete in a title match against either Janik Sinner or Novak Djokovic.
“Well, obviously I’m tired,” Alcaraz, who will lift his first Australian Open title on Sunday and become the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam, said at the post-match news conference. “Honestly, obviously my body could be better, but I think after five and a half hours that’s normal. [After the match] I’m just doing whatever I can to just get better and feel better tomorrow. Ice baths… I’m going to have a session with a physio now, we’ll see.
“Hopefully it won’t be nothing, but after five and a half hours of racing and a high level of fitness, I think the muscles are going to be tight and I have to do everything I can to perform at my best in the final.”
this @carlosalcaraz Mentality 🔥@Australian Open | #AO26 pic.twitter.com/GmNYvBObdL
— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 30, 2026
Against Zverev, Alcaraz could barely run late in the third set and much of the fourth, but relaxed in time to come back 3-5 in the deciding set to win the longest semifinal in Australian Open history.
“This is one of the most demanding games I’ve played in my career so far,” the 22-year-old said. “I think today we pushed each other to the limit physically. We pushed our bodies to the limit. I thought the level in the fifth set was really, really high.
“I’m really, really happy to get the win and to be back. I ranked this one first, [among] This is one of the best games I’ve ever won. ”
Alcaraz currently has a record of 15 wins and 1 loss in the fifth set, and he has also become the youngest player to reach the final of all four Grand Slam tournaments. If he wants to go on to complete his career Grand Slam on Sunday, he may need to recreate some of the exceptional fighting prowess he displayed in his victory over Zverev.
“When I was younger, there were a lot of tournaments that I just didn’t want to play anymore or just gave up on,” the six-time Grand Slam champion said. “Then I matured and I just hated that feeling… One more step, even one more second of pain, one more second of fighting is always worth it. So that’s why I will fight until the last ball and always believe that I can come back in any situation.”
