Cramps, courage and belief: Carlos Alcaraz’s scripts yet another comeback for the ages

If you were one of those who switched off the television when Carlos Alcaraz started to experience cramps in the third set of his Australian Open 2026 men’s singles semi-final on Friday, you are probably going to curse yourself for a lifetime. For what followed was a comeback of a lifetime – one that saw the 22-year-old defy physically limiting cramps and a spirited Alexander Zverev to reach his first final at the Rod Laver Arena.

With his unbelievable 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (3-7), 6-7 (4-7), 7-5 win over Zverev, who himself at one stage came back from two sets down, Alcaraz became the youngest man in the Open era to reach the finals of all four Grand Slam tournaments. He will now aim to become the youngest ever to complete a career Grand Slam.

The real question now is: can he do that after the physical struggle on Friday? But then again, the never-die spirit of Alcaraz – which we also witnessed in the French Open final last year – tells us that yes, he can. Because after this semi-final that stretched for five hours and 27 minutes, nothing can limit this Villena-born wonder.

Alcaraz, how did you even win?

Against Zverev, Alcaraz started with a clear purpose – no one was going to stop him from reaching his first final this time. He was quick to win the first two sets, despite Zverev putting up a stiff challenge in the second. But at 4-4 in the third set, it seemed like everything had fallen apart.

Alcaraz was stretching his legs in a corner. Something looked really off. Soon, fear turned into reality. Alcaraz had pulled up his right leg. At 5-4, he was forced to take a medical timeout as Zverev lost it at the supervisor, complaining about the rules being flouted while the Spaniard received treatment.

Powered by pickle juice, he returned to the court when many felt he would retire. He even went 6-5 up, but an angry Zverev had smelled blood by then. The tiebreak arrived, and the 28-year-old German pulled back a set.

At that moment, if you took your eyes off the screen, no one would blame you. Alcaraz was barely able to move. It was as painful to play as it was to watch. Yet he kept fighting, and the Australian crowd kept egging him on. But in a zone of his own, Zverev forced another tiebreak, won it, and suddenly the match was level.

If this was not enough drama, the best was saved for the final set.

Zverev broke early in the fifth and led throughout, but Alcaraz was now faster and better. His cramps seemed to have left his body. The pain gave way to energy, and hungrier than ever, Carlos hunted the ball like a wolf.

From chasing down a drop shot at the net to hitting winners at full stretch, elite athleticism was on full display as belief spread that the impossible was possible.

Eventually, Zverev’s resistance cracked. Alcaraz broke back when the German was serving for the match and went on to win the longest Australian Open semi-final of all time, sealing it 7-5 in the final set.

I hope these words do justice to the implausible heist Alcaraz pulled off. But if it all sounds like fantasy, you can be forgiven. Those who watched it live could not believe it for a while, either.

An unbelievable victory created by Alcaraz’s belief

Tennis has always been the sport that challenges individuals more than any other, but this felt alien. Perhaps because we mere mortals are not born with this kind of belief – the cornerstone of Alcaraz’s comeback.

“Believing. Believing all the time,” Alcaraz told Jim Courier courtside when asked about the secret behind his mind-boggling comeback. “I always say you have to believe in yourself. When you are struggling, you need to believe in yourself at that time.”

“I was struggling in the middle of the third set. It was physically the most demanding match of my short career. I have been in these kinds of matches before, so I knew what I had to do. I had to put all my heart into it… extremely proud of how I fought and came back in the fifth set.”

Alcaraz was most likely pointing to an equally brilliant escape against world No. 2 Jannik Sinner in last year’s Roland Garros final, when he saved three championship points to win the title.

Pause for a moment and think about it – two such wins at 22 is probably twice as much as many greats would manage in a career. The tennis is extraordinary, but even more dazzling is his fighting spirit and willingness to entertain.

“Really happy that I am playing in the Australian Open final,” Alcaraz added. “This is what I’m pursuing so much. It’s been a great two weeks. One thing I can say is that I cannot stand here without these people. For me, it’s a real pleasure to play in front of you.

“The way you push me on every ball, every point, it’s been crazy. I’m really grateful for the support. I’m sure Sunday will have a great atmosphere. I cannot wait – even though I now have to think about recovery. See you on Sunday.”

The reward for winning the semi-final will be a final against either Jannik Sinner or 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic. But after the gladiatorial spectacle Alcaraz produced on Friday, does it even matter?