The pursuit of tennis immortality is officially underway.
World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz opened his Australian Open campaign in commanding fashion on Sunday, dispatching Australia’s Adam Walton in straight sets
to keep his Career Grand Slam dream alive.
The 22-year-old Spaniard was clinical in a 6-3, 7-6, 6-2 victory that lasted two hours and five minutes, blending power with poise to silence the home crowd.
CARLOS ALCARAZ HITS AN UNREAL VOLLEY AGAINST WALTON AT THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN.
He’s literally diving full stretch but controls it perfectly and it drops right over the net.
Like… what? 🤯🤯🤯🤯
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 18, 2026
With titles already secured at three of the four majors, Alcaraz is chasing the one prize that has eluded him — and if he completes the set in Melbourne, he would become the youngest player in history to achieve the Career Grand Slam.
It was a routine win on paper, but a meaningful one in context, as Alcaraz took another step toward cementing his place among the sport’s all-time greats.
Venus Williams Crashes Out
While Alcaraz represented tennis’ future, Venus Williams delivered a powerful reminder of its enduring past.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion made history by becoming the oldest woman ever to compete at the Australian Open, returning to Melbourne at 45 on a wildcard, five years after her last appearance at the tournament.
Her inclusion sparked debate, with critics questioning whether the spot should have gone to a younger player — especially after early exits in both of her warm-up events. But once on court, Venus showed she was far from a ceremonial presence.
Facing 24-year-old Serbian Olga Danilovic, Williams dug deep in a bruising contest that lasted two hours and 17 minutes.
Venus exited in the first round, but not quietly.
She claimed the opening-set tiebreak, traded blows in the second, and pushed her opponent to the brink before fatigue told. Danilovic reeled off the final six games to seal a 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-4 victory.
