Carlos Alcaraz’s incredible self belief helps him isolate clutch moments and raise his game
The Spaniard pounced on Zverev's tentativeness when serving for the match, and won a marathon Australian Open semifinal, from the brink backing his ability to upturn any momentum
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates after defeating Alexander Zverev of Germany in their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
There is a reason why Carlos Alcaraz has taken his place in sports lovers’ imagination as rapidly as he has racked up an impressive CV by the age of 22, one that even some tennis greats would be envious of. His flashy groundstrokes, easy-going charisma and entertaining style may play a role. But it probably has a lot more to do with the single word he wrote on the cameras after escaping into the Australian Open final with yet another sensational comeback victory: “Believe.”
A neatly packaged highlight reel will not do justice to the five-and-a-half-hour-long compelling piece of theatre that took place across a searingly hot Melbourne afternoon on the Rod Laver Arena on Friday. Alcaraz defeated the German third seed Alexander Zverev 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-7 (4), 7-5 in the semifinals. That sheer number-scramble of a scoreline may itself elicit all sorts of conclusions, but Alcaraz willed this against-all-odds victory — facing a surging, peaking opponent and a badly cramping body — into existence through his mastery of the art of winning best-of-five sets tennis. It all hinges on that belief.
A match that was dead-set to be a straight-sets procession turned on its head when Alcaraz suffered cramps in the third set. It became a potboiler that ebbed and flowed the way the very best tennis matches often do: making up for a lack of match quality with high drama. A spiky Zverev, perturbed by what he believed was preferential treatment to his ailing opponent, used it as fuel to fire himself up and come back from two sets down.
Zverev has been criticised heavily in the past for getting passive in the big moments, but here, he rose to the occasion and rode his massive serve to play attack-first tennis. Alcaraz triumphed despite his opponent being at his best, not because he wobbled.
It’s not for nothing that the Spaniard has won 15 consecutive five-set matches and only ever lost one. He won last year’s French Open final saving three championship points. It’s thanks to a sporting maxim that has been repeated so often it borders on a cliche. Intense talent and self-belief make for a lethal cocktail.
In no sport does this hold truer than in tennis at the highest level. Best-of-five is often seen as a marathon; this match is likely to be viewed similarly. But it more closely resembles a collection of sprints. Any one of those sprints can turn on a significant moment. Alcaraz has quickly become an expert at isolating those moments and raising his game to meet them, even when his game is failing him.
On Friday, it came in the fifth set when he was down a break. A lesser player would get within themselves; an unsure one will try to change tactics. But Alcaraz, high on the pickle juice he had been chugging, knew that as well as Zverev had been serving, his strategy to be aggressive on return and jump on his serves will transfer the pressure. He fashioned five break points but couldn’t convert, but did not get down on himself to take the opportunity that presented itself when Zverev got tentative while serving for the match.
Story continues below this ad
There may be a plethora of technical ways to master the art of winning when things are not going one’s way. But first, it serves well to believe.
Namit Kumar is a Senior Sports Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. He is known for his versatile reporting across several major sports disciplines.
Professional Profile
Specializations: He covers a wide variety of sports including tennis, football, cricket, and motorsports.
Focus: His writing often delves into the finer details and technical analysis of the sports he covers.
Social Media: You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @namitkumar_17.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Namit’s recent work focuses heavily on international cricket series and domestic tournaments, as well as high-profile global tennis events:
International Cricket (India vs South Africa Series):
"Intelligence, skill, and heart: How Arshdeep Singh took out Reeza Hendricks" (Dec 15, 2025) — A detailed analysis of Arshdeep's tactical comeback in the T20I series.
"How India's seamers froze South Africa in chilly Dharamshala" (Dec 14, 2025).
"Why India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill losing form, is the start of a blunt headache" (Dec 12, 2025) — An analytical piece on the statistics and form of India's leadership duo.
"Quinton de Kock dismantles Indian bowling combination with silent savagery" (Dec 11, 2025).
Domestic Cricket (Ranji Trophy):
"Ranji Trophy: J&K conquer Kotla and Delhi for first time" (Nov 11, 2025) — Reporting on the historic first win for Jammu & Kashmir over Delhi in the tournament's history.
"What makes J&K pacer Auqib Nabi special" (Nov 8, 2025) — A profile on the pacer's accuracy and swing.
"Unearthing the next Virat Kohli still a while away but Delhi's young batting talent full of promise" (Oct 24, 2025).
Tennis and Golf:
"Jannik Sinner's winter-time madness: How Italian refined his game to beat Alcaraz" (Nov 17, 2025) — A deep dive into Sinner’s technical improvements following his US Open loss.
"Everyone's come to watch Rory McIlroy but keep an eye out for 'people's champion' Tommy Fleetwood" (Oct 17, 2025).
Football Tactics:
"Why are long throw-ins giving football defenders and lawmakers a headache?" (Nov 2, 2025) — An analytical piece on the evolving strategies surrounding throw-ins in modern football.
Reporting Style
Namit is active in covering the Delhi sports scene, providing detailed match reports for international cricket matches and Ranji Trophy fixtures at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. He also provides on-the-ground reporting for happenings in the city, such as his recent coverage of the DP World India Championship golf event. Additionally, he actively writes on tennis, analysing matches and reporting on major events, especially during the Grand Slam tournaments. ... Read More
