World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz kicked off his 2026 Australian Open campaign with a straight-sets victory over Australian Adam Walton, advancing to the second round amid record crowds in Melbourne. The 22-year-old Spaniard overcame a mid-match wobble to secure a 6-3, 7-6(2), 6-2 win on Rod Laver Arena. This marks his first competitive outing since parting ways with longtime coach Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Carlos Alcaraz began his pursuit of a career Grand Slam at the Australian Open on January 18, 2026, with a composed win over local favorite Adam Walton. Playing in the night session on Rod Laver Arena, the top seed triumphed 6-3, 7-6(2), 6-2 in a match lasting two hours and 13 minutes. This victory propels Alcaraz into the second round for the fifth time in Melbourne, where he aims to claim his first title and become the youngest man in the Open Era to win all four majors.
The match started strongly for Alcaraz, who broke Walton in the eighth game of the first set with a forehand winner, showcasing his speed and court coverage. However, the second set tested his resolve as Walton, ranked No. 79, earned a break to lead 3-1 with deep groundstrokes and solid baseline play. Alcaraz rallied back immediately and forced a tiebreak, where he dominated 7-2. A highlight came mid-second set at 2-3, when Alcaraz sprinted forward, spun, and unleashed a stunning volley that left 15,000 fans speechless and drew exclamations from commentators: "How quick is this guy?!"
In the third set, Alcaraz shifted gears, breaking to love for a 4-2 lead and cruising to victory. He fired 38 winners and eight aces but also committed 36 unforced errors, more than Walton's tally. This was Alcaraz's first match under new coach Samuel Lopez, following his December split from seven-year partner Ferrero, with whom he won six majors.
Post-match, Alcaraz reflected on the challenge: "It was really, really difficult to find the good spots. It felt he was always in a good position. Long rallies. He was solid from the baseline and his flat ball was sometimes really difficult for me." He added, "I am really happy to step onto the court once again for the first time this season. It could not have been better, playing here on the Rod Laver Arena."
The atmosphere was electric, fueled by record attendance: 73,235 for the day session and 27,528 for the night, totaling 100,763 fans—the highest single-day figure ever at the tournament. Walton, seeking his first second-round appearance at home, praised Alcaraz's movement: "He moves a bit different to the rest of the guys on the tour."
Alcaraz, a two-time champion at Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open, faces Germany's Yannick Hanfmann next on Tuesday. Hanfmann advanced by beating qualifier Zachary Svajda 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(3). With six majors already at age 22, Alcaraz remains focused on mindset and improvement as the tournament progresses.
