Carlos Alcaraz shows off INSANE football skills moments before Novak Djokovic Australian Open showdown
Carlos Alcaraz showed off his incredible football skills moments before heading out to face Novak Djokovic.
Behind-the-scenes footage showed the Spaniard beginning by dancing with headphones on as he looked to get in the zone ahead of Tuesday's Australian Open quarter-final. The world number three then began to perform keepie-ups with a small tennis ball in the changing room at the Rod Laver Arena. He was pictured juggling the ball around the room to the beat of his music and managed at least 26 before losing his rhythm and sharing a laugh.
It is not the first time the talented 21-year-old has shown off his outstanding skills with the ball at his feet. Footage was also shared online of Alcaraz showing off his superb football skills when warming up at Indian Wells last March.
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It is little surprise that a Spanish athlete is gifted with the ball at their feet given the country's outstanding football success over the past two decades. On the court, however, Alcaraz was vying for a place in the Australian Open semi-final against the record breaking Serb. It is the only Grand Slam Alcaraz has not won with his best run coming last year to the quarter-finals.
It marks the latest rivalry between the pair, who faced off at the 2024 Paris Olympics tennis final, and is their first encounter on a hard court in a Grand Slam. Serbia's Novak Djokovic, coached by Andy Murray, defeated Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in the Paris final, 7–6, 7–6 to win the gold medal in men's singles tennis event. It was Serbia's first gold medal in Olympic tennis.
