Carlos Alcaraz failed to name a WTA player that he liked watching (Image: Eurosport)
Carlos Alcaraz was put on the spot when he was asked to name which WTA players he enjoyed watching.
Carlos Alcaraz sparked rumours that he could be dating a fellow tennis player after suffering an awkward blunder during his Australian Open on-court interview. The world No. 2 was asked which WTA stars he liked watching but wasn’t able to name a single female player as Jim Courier admitted to putting him on the spot. And retired pro Mardy Fish has now suggested that Alcaraz clammed up because he is dating someone on the WTA Tour.
Alcaraz booked his spot in a maiden Australian Open quarter-final when he beat Miomir Kecmanovic on Monday. It was a sublime performance from the Spaniard, who won 6-4 6-4 6-0, but the main talking point has been his post-match interview. Courier asked Alcaraz which players he liked watching on TV as he reeled off the names of his biggest rivals on the men’s tour – Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner.
But Courier continued to push, adding: “I’m going to put you on the spot though, what about WTA?” The two-time Major winner looked embarrassed as he failed to give a real response. “I watch WTA as well. I mean, when I can obviously,” a coy Alcaraz said. “When I turn the TV on if it’s WTA, ATP, whatever. I like to watch it obviously.”
The video has since gone viral, with some finding it funny while others have been left disappointed that Alcaraz couldn’t name a single female player. But former world No. 7 Mardy Fish has a different theory about the Spaniard’s response, sparking speculation about Alcaraz’s love life.
“My man has gotta be dating someone on WTA Tour…??” the American tweeted, reposting a video of the uncomfortable answer. One user replied: “Def early stages cuz if he said her name then everyone would know and if he didn’t say her name she would be pissed lol.”
And Fish agreed as he added: “Yup. Get to the bottom of it.” The 42-year-old’s theory may have already been disproven though, as Alcaraz recently confirmed that he wasn’t in a relationship.
Appearing on an Australian Open edition of Channel 9’s The Hundred, Alcaraz had to guess how many Australians answered a specific question about their habits. He was asked what percentage had forgotten their partner’s birthday and wrote 55 per cent, prompting the host to ask whether Alcaraz had a girlfriend.
“No,” he replied. “I just know the birthday of my older brother, not my dad, not my mum, not my little brother.” It could still support the theory that the 20-year-old is only dating. But there’s no doubt that his top priority will be the Australian Open, where he is bidding to win his third Grand Slam title.
