'Took Djokovic 27 Majors To Win His 3rd Major': Petchey Leaps To Alcaraz's Defence

Tennis commentator Mark Petchey has defended Carlos Alcaraz's recent exit at the Australian Open after the Spaniard fell short of adding to his Grand Slam trophy collection.

Second seed Alcaraz was beaten by sixth seed Alexander Zverev in four sets in Wednesday's quarterfinal - a result that shocked many tennis onlookers. It was the first time Alcaraz had failed to reach at least the semifinals of a Grand Slam since 2022 Wimbledon.

Nevertheless, it was Alcaraz's best result at the Australian Open, having missed last year's extravaganza due to a leg injury. The fact that he was capable of thrusting his name in the business end of the tournament left him very pleased despite the disappointing outcome.

Alcaraz, however, has come under intense scrutiny from rival fans and select journalists who have harshly pinned his results since the second half of last season as a developing mini-crisis. It's been six months since the Spaniard won a tour trophy, which happened at Wimbledon last July.

Petchey, however, rubbished the criticism, merely pointing to a striking observation of how Alcaraz is already exceeding expectations at 20. He is the first ATP player born after 1990 to win multiple Slams (a record he still holds).

The former British pro explained that it took Novak Djokovic, who is the current record holder of the most Grand Slams, 27 tries to win his 3rd major. Alcaraz, meanwhile, is already on two, having played less than half of that number.

Alcaraz is set to defend more than 6,000 points in the next six months, beginning at the Golden Swing in South America next month. He will play at the ATP 250 event in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the ATP 500 tournament in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.