MELBOURNE – Carlos Alcaraz had everything under control in the Australian Open semi-finals until cramps struck both of his legs.
The Spaniard was just a few games away from sealing his place in his first final in Australia, leading 6–4, 7–6(6), 3–3.
That was when the physical problems began. First, vomiting, as he admitted to his coaching team: “I’ve thrown up. I don’t know if I should take something.”
Then the cramps severely limited his movement as the third set reached its decisive stages.
The world number one opted to shorten the points. He was stiff. He went ultra-aggressive on the return. It almost paid off when, on Zverev’s serve, he came within two points of closing out the match. The German also helped Alcaraz come close to the final: he made unforgivable mistakes, served a few double faults, and did not move his opponent around enough.
The Tokyo 2021 Olympic champion angrily complained to one of the supervisors while Alcaraz was receiving medical treatment.
“This is unbelievable! This is bullshit!” the German protested as the six-time Grand Slam champion was being attended to.
Tour rules state that players cannot receive medical treatment solely for cramps, as they are considered a loss of physical conditioning, not an acute injury.
“Head, heart and balls!” shouted a spectator at the start of the third-set tiebreak, referring to Alcaraz’s trademark phrase. It seemed like his last chance to close out the match. The German won it 7–3.
“I’m starting to feel better,” Alcaraz told his team led by coach Samuel López. during the fourth set.
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