(Video) Carlos Alcaraz in Splits After Spectator During Australian Open Match Called Him ‘Carlos Nadal’

World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz will be facing Corentin Moutet in the third round of the Australian Open.

(Video) Carlos Alcaraz in Splits After Spectator During Australian Open Match Called Him ‘Carlos Nadal’

Carlos Alcaraz will surpass Rafael Nadal if he wins the Australian Open (Image via X/AllAboutHQ, The Tennis Letter, Carlos Alcaraz 4K)

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Carlos Alcaraz played his second tie break of the ongoing Australian Open against Yannick Hanfmann on Wednesday (January 21). After overcoming a shaky start, he sealed the first set and was on the verge of taking a 4-1 lead in the second set when something made him laugh.

As he was preparing to serve, he heard a spectator on Rod Laver Arena shout, ‘Carlos Nadal’. It left the six-time Grand Slam champion as well as the crowd in stitches.

Watch the video here:

Alcaraz will meet a seeded player next. It’s the 32nd seed, Corentin Moutet, who received the walkover from Michael Zheng in the previous round.

Alcaraz doesn’t have a decent record to boast about when it comes to his Australian Open campaigns. The Melbourne Slam is one of the very few tournaments where he has yet to advance to the semifinals. Alcaraz has made the quarterfinals twice, in 2024 and 2025, losing both matches in four sets at the hands of Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic, respectively.

The win in the Major Down Under will make the 22-year-old youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam. He will surpass Rafael Nadal, who accomplished this feat at the age of 24 after winning the 2010 US Open.

Before arriving in Melbourne, Alcaraz chose not to feature in any warm-up events. Instead, he flew to South Korea for a lucrative exhibition match where he defeated arch-rival Jannik Sinner, the two-time defending champion at Melbourne Park.

Alexandra Eala on being more popular than Carlos Alcaraz

Alexandra Eala‘s pre-tournament press conference at the Australian Open has received more than 180,000 views, while Carlos Alcaraz‘s has received fewer than 30,000 views so far. Eala kick-started her run on her debut in an emphatic fashion, handing Alycia Parks a bagel in the first set, but failed to capitalize on her momentum, losing with a 0-6, 6-3, 6-2 scoreline. Later at the press conference, she was asked about the YouTube press conference figures.

Alexandra Eala (3)
Alexandra Eala (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

Yeah, I guess, I haven’t really thought about it. I haven’t seen those numbers. So, then again, like I said in the last press conference, taking everything with a spoonful of gratitude. I’m nowhere near the leagues of, of course, the greats, [Novak] Djokovic, and then now [Aryna] Sabalenka, Alcaraz, and all of these people. I have so much respect for them. I think everyone does.

Eala burst onto the scene in last year’s Miami Open. En route to losing in three sets to eventual runner-up Jessica Pegula, the 20-year-old knocked out Madison Keys as well as Iga Swiatek, who handed her the graduation certificate at the Rafa Nadal Academy.

But yeah, I like to think that I have a following for a reason. I like to think that the impact that I’ve had and the platform that I’ve built has a positive effect on a certain demographic and my demographic. Yeah, so, I mean, I guess this is one of the moments that I can reflect on what this means for Philippine tennis. I’m the only Filipina in the draw this year. I’m the only Filipina that’s ever been in the draw, I think.

Alexandra Eala added

Prior to arriving in Melbourne, Eala played the ASB Classic, losing to Wang Xinyu in the semifinals. Last year, Eala failed to end the Eastbourne International final in her favor, losing in three sets to Maya Joint. She later won the Guadalajara 125 Open.

Alcaraz, on the other hand, lifted eight titles from 11 finals last year. Two of them were the trophies he won at the French Open and the US Open by defeating Jannik Sinner.

Also read: Jannik Sinner Makes Awkward Admission on Playing Doubles with Nick Kyrgios