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 was pursuing a lot,” Nadal said.
“It’s been a great two weeks so far. My level is improving a lot. I couldn’t stay here right now, doing this interview [as the winner] without you guys. It was a real pleasure playing in front of all of you. The way you pushed me through every time, every ball was amazing.
“My head is about recovering, so I’m in good shape for you guys. See you on Sunday.”
This was the first five-setter on Rod Laver Arena for this year’s tournament and eclipsed retirement-bound Swiss great Stan Wawrinka’s four-and-a-half-hour second-round win over Arthur Gea for the longest match of the fortnight.
Alcaraz began cramping in his upper right leg with the finish line in sight in the ninth game of the third set, in what proved a match-altering twist.
His decision to call for the trainer and undergo a medical timeout enraged Zverev, who called the situation “bullshit” in an angry conversation with the supervisor in his native language.
The world No.3 continued his profanity-laced diatribe while speaking to his courtside team as Alcaraz received treatment and drank pickle juice in a desperate bid to keep alive his chances of making a maiden Australian Open final.
Alcaraz continued to fight despite being physically compromised with his movement, including his first-serve speed taking a significant hit as his legs betrayed him.
He infamously suffered from severe full-body cramping, which primarily impacted his right leg, in his Roland-Garros semi-final defeat to Novak Djokovic, which he later blamed on stress. On that occasion, there was no coming back, but the story was different in Melbourne on Friday night.
Alcaraz’s hopes looked over when he double-faulted to drop serve to begin the final set, with all the momentum going Zverev’s way, but as his movement started slowly improving, he suddenly began creating opportunities on the German’s serve.
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