Carlos Alcaraz defeats Alexander Zverev in five-set epic on Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park
“I’m really happy to play my first final in Melbourne. It’s something I’ve been following a lot,” Nadal said.
“It’s been a great two weeks so far. My level is improving greatly. I couldn’t stay here doing this interview right now.” [as the winner] without you It was truly a pleasure to play in front of all of you. The way you pushed me every time, every ball was amazing.
“My mind is busy healing, so I’m in good shape for you guys. See you on Sunday.”
It was the first top-five setter in this year’s tournament at Rod Laver Arena, eclipsing retired Swiss great Stan Wawrinka’s four-and-a-half hour second-round victory over Arthur Gea in the longest match of the fortnight.
Alcaraz started to have a cramp in his right upper leg while the finish line was in sight in the ninth game of the third set, and this was a development that changed the course of the match.
The decision to call the coach and take a medical timeout angered Zverev, who called the situation “nonsense” in an angry exchange with the supervisor in his native language.
As Alcaraz received treatment and drank pickle juice in a desperate attempt to keep alive his chances of reaching his first Australian Open final, the world No. 3 continued his expletive-filled diatribes as he spoke to his team courtside.
Alcaraz continued to fight despite having trouble physically with her movements, including her first serve speed taking a significant hit as her legs betrayed her.
In his semi-final defeat against Novak Djokovic at Roland-Garros, he suffered from severe full-body cramps primarily affecting his right leg, which he later attributed to stress. There was no comeback in that situation, but the story was different in Melbourne on Friday night.
Their hopes were dashed when Alcaraz double-faulted to drop serve to start the final set and all the momentum went in Zverev’s favor, but as his movement slowly began to improve, he suddenly started creating opportunities on the German’s serve.
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