Australian Open 2025: Carlos Alcaraz Beams With Pride in a 3-Word Reaction to Jack Draper’s Stunning Win

“I think I showed a lot of heart today. It wasn’t pretty at all. It was nowhere near my best. Sometimes it’s about showing some heart,” said British ATP pro Jack Draper on Monday after registering a hard-fought first-round win. He beat Argentina’s Mariano Navone 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. It wasn’t an easy match by any means, and Draper knows it well. After the victory, the 23-year-old had a strong reaction to share on social media. Eventually, it also got the attention of former World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz. The four-time Major winner apparently decided to slide into Draper’s comments section. But what was the reason behind it?

Before his 2025 Australian Open campaign, Draper couldn’t get into a warm-up event for preparations. He was going through a hip injury which forced him to stay away from a full-fledged tournament. However, he did join several practice sessions against Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner in the Rod Laver Arena last week. But the lack of match practice was evident during his first-round battle against Navone. The latter kept challenging him in the initial phases before the Brit made a strong comeback in the last two sets.

After winning the first round, Draper took to his Instagram and shared a post. He simply wrote, “Big battle to start 2025” He used the ‘Head, Heart, and Balls (egg)’ emoji to denote his determination and resilience. But did you know that these symbols have a connection with the Spanish sensation, Carlos Alcaraz? Keep reading to find out how! Alcaraz has been using them in his post-match celebrations, for quite some time now, where he writes ‘CCC’ on camera. That’s an abbreviation of Cabeza, Corazón y Cojones, meaning “Head, Heart, and Balls.” Upon noticing Draper’s caption, Alcaraz couldn’t resist extending his support to him. “That’s my man“ he wrote in the comments with the symbols of his iconic celebration.

Back in 2022, Alcaraz got a tattoo with ‘CCC’, after winning his first ATP title in Miami, as a tribute to his beloved grandfather. Since then, he’s stuck to this motto of Cabeza, Corazón y Cojones. But what’s its significance? “My grandfather always told me to focus on the Three Cs: head, heart, and balls,” he revealed on a previous occasion. The motto basically helps him to gather courage and be fearless and strong in tough moments. Especially when it comes to his on-court performances.

As of now, the Spaniard is full on confidence after his blistering first-round victory at the first Major down under. He’s also moved one step closer to completing a Career Slam!

Carlos Alcaraz cruises into the second round of the 2025 Australian Open

On Monday, the four-time Major winner overcame the challenge of Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko. He won in straight sets with a scoreline of 6-1, 7-5, 6-1. He will now face World No.65, Japan’s Yoshihito Nishiyoka on Wednesday.

Last year, at the Australian Open, Carlos Alcaraz couldn’t move past the QF round. Germany’s Alexander Zverev beat him with a scoreline of 6-1, 6-3, 6-7,6-4. However, the Spaniard later went on to clinch back-to-back Slams in 2024. He lifted the trophy at the Roland Garros, taking revenge from Zverev in the final. Then at Wimbledon, he defeated 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic while defending his title from 2023.

Going into the 2025 season, Alcaraz has been clear on winning the Australian Open. And the performance in his first-round match shows that he’s in good touch. Last year in December, during an exhibition event, he reiterated his ambition to win the Major down under, no matter what. “I’m sure I’ll be the Australian champion sooner or later. Let’s hope it happens this year,” he said. In case he lifts the trophy this time in Melbourne, the Spaniard will become the youngest player to complete the Career Slam. As of now, the record belongs to former ATP pro and tennis GOAT Rafael Nadal who won all four Slams at the age of 24.

The best thing about Alcaraz, 21, is that he’s still got two more chances to achieve this feat. Even if he fails this year, he will have the 2026 and 2027 Australian Open editions to win all four Majors before turning 24. But the former World No.1 would like to do the honors sooner than later. Do you think he will accomplish the rare milestone in the ongoing edition itself? Let us know in the comments below.