By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, January 16, 2024

The score won't stop Carlos Alcaraz from conjuring shotmaking magic.

Because fans fuel the Wimbledon winner's audacious shotmaking.

More: Alcaraz Grounds Gasquet in AO Opener

Speaking to Hall of Famer John McEnroe after his 7-6(5), 6-1, 6-2 Australian Open first-round win Richard Gasquet on Tuesday night, Alcaraz said his desire to give fans a magic moment inspire impossible shotmaking.

"I always try to make the people enjoy watching tennis watching my game," Alcaraz told McEnroe in his post-match interview. "I’m feeling maybe some shots that maybe anybody expect.

"Sometimes I don’t see the score and I try to make impossible shots just for the crowd."





The second-seeded Spaniard raised his record to 12-0 in Grand Slam opener, which ties him with Roy Emerson for second in Open Era history behind legendary Rocket Rod Laver, where the Spaniard launched his AO title quest, who was 15-0 in his first 15 major openers.

Photo credit: Shi Tang/Getty