Tim Henman and Jamie Murray have both hailed Carlos Alcaraz's monstrous mentality after the 22-year-old beat Alexander Zverev to reach the final of the Australian Open on Friday.
In a match that ranks as the longest semi-final in the competition's illustrious history, Alcaraz won 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (3-7) 6-7 (4-7) 7-5 to ensure his participation in Sunday's exciting event.
Alcaraz was two sets up when injury struck, with the Spaniard visibly uncomfortable.
Zverev then came roaring back and, at the start of the last set, broke his rival to move one step closer to the final.
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Yet Alcaraz managed to produce the spectacular to set up a mouthwatering showdown with either Jannik Sinner or Novak Djokovic, with that contest due to take place later today.
Alcaraz, after his win, admitted that he never gave up as he fought his way to one of the biggest victories of his career.
And both Henman and Murray, speaking on TNT Sports, were in agreement that his mindset puts him in a league of his own.
ABSOLUTE CINEMA 🎬
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2026
Alcaraz moves into his first AO final after a five set epic lasting 5 hours 27 minutes against Zverev! @wwos • @espn • @tntsports • @wowowtennis • #AO26 pic.twitter.com/zdBB3yHcxt
Henman, when asked just how Alcaraz was able to defy the odds to progress, said: "It’s exactly what he said in his first answer. It’s belief. That attitude is what got him across the line.
"Even with all those physical struggles, it’s his mentality that got him across the line.
"He never gave up on himself, he continued to believe that he would come up with solutions.
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Carlos Alcaraz's Grand Slam titles so far | GETTY/PA"He was down all the way in the fifth, Zverev served for the match, Alcaraz broke him and even for that final point, to sprint across the baseline and make one final passing shot was usta absolutely incredible."
Murray added: "It was truly an incredible match, and it’s hard to digest it.
"It was one-way traffic, didn't feel like Zverev had much belief, Carlos was in control but his body started to let him down and things changed: the atmosphere in the court, in the stadium.
"Tennis is about head, heart and legs. Carlos maybe didn’t have his legs, but he had heart and he had his head.
"The way he dealt with the cramping, his ability to stay calm, he didn’t panic which can make things worse in that situation.
"You can talk about tactics, but that was all heart. It was inspiring to watch that actually."
Carlos Alcaraz is on the brink of tennis immortality following his win over Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open
|REUTERS
Alcaraz now has the chance to become the youngest man to achieve the career Grand Slam.
Speaking after his brilliant battle with Zverev, he said: "I won by believing, all the time. I always say that you have to believe in yourself, no matter what. No matter the struggles, no matter anything, you have to all the time.
"I was struggling in the middle of the third set physically, and it was one of the most demanding matches I have ever played in my short career.
"I've been in these kind of situations and matches before. I knew what I had to do, I had to put my heart into the match.
"And I did it, I fought until the last ball and knew that I was going to have my chances. I was passionate in the fifth set.
"I’m extremely proud the way I came back in the fifth set. I’m so happy to have a chance to play my first final here in Melbourne. It’s something I've pursued a lot."