Carlos Alcaraz qualifies for Australian Open quarter-finals after Draper retirement

Number three seed Carlos Alcaraz reached the Australian Open quarter-finals after Jack Draper was forced to retire in the fourth round in Melbourne on Sunday. The Spaniard was leading by 7-6, 6-1 when the Brit could not continue due to injury. 

Draper later revealed that he was carrying tendinitis in his hip throughout the week. The Briton played five sets in each of his first three rounds at the hard-court major and thus he was exhausted.

Alcaraz said it was not the way he wanted to win and move forward in the tournament.

“It’s not the way I want to win the match to get through to the next round,” said Alcaraz in his on-court interview. “I’m just happy to play in another quarter-final in Australia but a little bit sad for Jack, he’s a nice person. He doesn’t deserve to get injured.

“He couldn’t prepare the start of the season well because of an injury. We should have done a good week of preseason [together], but we couldn’t because of an injury as well. I’m just a little bit sad for him but I’m sure he’s going to come back stronger and I want to wish him a speedy recovery.”

The Spaniard added he is really happy with the level with which he is playing in Australia as he has dropped only one set in his four matches.

“I am just happy with the level that I’m playing on the court,” reflected Alcaraz. “Off the court I’m feeling really comfortable here in Australia. I think it’s pretty good. Physically I’m feeling great so coming into the second week of a Grand Slam it’s really important to feel well physically because right now the matches are even tougher. I’m just ready. I think I’m doing great things off the court as well.

“I’m excited about playing my second quarter-final in Australia and hopefully getting further this year.”

Alcaraz will next take on 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.