Carlos Alcaraz brings his signature smile to every pivotal moment on the court. He flashes it after delivering a stunning highlight, during intense grand slam finals, and even after conceding a point. This Spanish star embodies the smiling assassin in tennis.
Alcaraz’s Unique Charisma on Display
Among Alcaraz’s exceptional traits that position him as a potential all-time great, his infectious smile stands out as truly one-of-a-kind in professional sports, according to seven-time grand slam champion Mats Wilander.
“I can’t think of an athlete who smiles and laughs when he is playing – it’s amazing,” Wilander stated. “Ian Thorpe was never smiling… Michael Jordan, never. Tiger Woods, never. They were just so focused, and they were fierce competitors, which Carlos is, too. That’s the other thing – he is a fierce competitor while he is smiling.”
“What I don’t understand with him is how he can do that with all the pressure and expectation on him,” Wilander added.
Djokovic Superfan Gears Up for the Clash
A devoted Serbian-American fan of Novak Djokovic, renowned for his inventive T-shirts honoring the champion, has secured a prime seat at Rod Laver Arena for the men’s final. Zoran Pavlovic, a California-based businessman, shared his excitement with Telegraf, expressing no regrets over the hefty ticket price.
“Novak is on a roll, like Jupiter. He is powerful from the first round, and he showed that he was made of steel again against Sinner. The psychological aspect also works in favour of Djokovic. There are few players who can stay calm under the pressure of a grand slam final like him,” Pavlovic said.
He outlined the tactical battle ahead: “Tactically speaking, the match will be reduced to a familiar formula: Alcaraz will try to impose an aggressive rhythm, shorten the points and engage in long exchanges with Djokovic as little as possible. The Serbian tennis player will, as always, look for patience, deep shots and the opportunity to use his experience to break his rival in key moments.”
“The Australian Open is Novak’s field, his fortress, a tournament where he has never lost a final. He has experience, mental strength and incredible ability to play the best when it matters most,” Pavlovic concluded.
Earlier in the tournament, Pavlovic made waves by wearing a T-shirt portraying Djokovic as the father figure to Alcaraz and Sinner. Fans eagerly await his outfit for this showdown.
Live Coverage Begins
Welcome, tennis enthusiasts, to live updates from the Australian Open 2026. The stage is set for the blockbuster men’s final featuring Carlos Alcaraz against Novak Djokovic.
