It would be a lasting memory of his victory over Novak Djokovic in the men’s final of the Australian Open on Sunday, making him the youngest male player to complete a Grand Slam career at the age of 22.
“I already know it will be a kangaroo. I just don’t know the place,” Alcaraz said. “I’m just thinking about the leg, but I don’t know which calf, whether it will be the right or the left.”
Alcaraz posed for photographers on Monday with the ornate Australian Open trophy, looking casually stylish in black, loafers and no socks. The photo shoot took place at the Royal Exhibition Building, set among gardens in central Melbourne.
Women’s singles winner Elena Rybakina was photographed with her trophy on the banks of the Yarra River, which runs through Melbourne, on Saturday.
According to Australian media reports, Alcaraz spent the night after his victory with his family in his hotel suite, where he ordered pizza, beer and champagne.
In a social media message to fans during the photo shoot, Alcaraz said: “I still can’t believe I just made it.
“A dream come true for me, a Grand Slam career. I am enjoying this great moment. I cannot forget the support and love I have received.”
After a 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 against Djokovic, a 10-time Australian Open champion, Alcaraz admitted: “I hate to lose.”
He explained his thinking at the moment of victory.
“Before the last point… a lot of things came to my mind, to be honest,” Alcaraz said. “I was really nervous, I was almost shaking. So when I saw the ball go out, I thought, ‘Okay, I made it.’
“It was a great feeling to think about my family and my team as well.”
He now has his sights set on winning every major tennis prize: three Masters 1000 titles that have eluded him, a season-ending championship and a Davis Cup with Spain. He has won six of the nine Masters 1000 crowns but has yet to win the Canadian Open, Shanghai and the Paris Masters.
“I hate to lose, so that’s my motivation. I try to lose as little as possible,” Alcaraz said. “Yes, there are some tournaments that I really wanted to win at least once. A few Masters 1000s. I just really wanted to complete all the Masters 1000s and try to win them all at least once.
“Obviously the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup are also a goal. I really wanted to achieve that for my country, for Spain. I have set some other goals for the season and I will try to be ready for, or try to achieve, those goals.”
Alcaraz joined Don Budge, Fred Perry, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Djokovic as only the ninth man to win all four Grand Slams. He was 91 days younger than Budge and considerably younger than Nadal, who was 24 and three months, Federer almost 28 and Djokovic 29.
“I’m going to say that tennis is very nice, but the bad thing about tennis is that we have tournaments week after week after week and sometimes you don’t realize what you’ve done lately,” he said. “Because once you finish a tournament, you have to be prepared and your mind goes to the next tournament.
“What I have learned this year is to appreciate and enjoy every second of the moment you are living. Not just winning the trophies, but playing tournaments, playing tennis, getting wins, suffering losses. Whatever it is, just enjoy and appreciate the life you are living.”
While Alcaraz has acknowledged the 38-year-old Djokovic as an inspiration, he is unsure if he will be as durable.
“You know, let’s see how long I’ll play. Hopefully at 38 I’ll be in such good shape, I can compete and challenge the young players, and play grand slam finals.”
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