MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz says he got together with Roger Federer for a round of golf before the Australian Open, and it went just as the 22-year-old Spaniard expected.
Federer's swing, he said, is “as beautiful as the tennis.”
Click to Gallery
Michael Zheng of the U.S. plays a backhand return to Corentin Moutet of France during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
Yannick Hanfmann of Germany receives treatment from a trainer during his second round match against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts with partner Andre Agassi, left, of the United States in their doubles match against Lleyton Hewitt and Pat Rafter of Australia during the Opening Ceremony for the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain plays a forehand return to Yannick Hanfmann of Germany during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates after defeating Yannick Hanfmann of Germany in their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
“Everything he does, he does in style,” Alcaraz said. “He’s been playing for two years now and his level is really, really good.”
“I’ve been playing five and he beat me,” he said, laughing. “It hurts, yeah!”
The topic turned to golf in an on-court TV interview after the top-ranked Alcaraz's 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-2 win over Yannick Hanfmann on Wednesday in the second round of the year's first major at Melbourne Park.
It was another step closer to his quest to be the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam in men's singles — that's a full collection of the four major tennis trophies.
That's something Federer, who was back at the Australian Open with his family on a very-much belated farewell tour, had to wait seven years to achieve after winning the first of his 20 major titles.
Alcaraz already has six — two each at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open — and needs the Australian title for the personal Slam. He's never gone past the quarterfinals at Melbourne Park.
His main rival, Jannik Sinner, has won the last two Australian titles. The pair have split the last eight majors evenly between them in a rivalry now known as Sincaraz.
So it's little surprise Alcaraz is looking to some of the greats of tennis, like Federer and others, to figure out ways to get ahead.
He has been improving areas of his game, particularly the serve — which now looks very similar to Novak Djokovic's. So much so that Djokovic, who has won 10 of his 24 majors at Melbourne Park, has noticed.
With Djokovic and No. 2-ranked Sinner on the opposite side of the draw, Alcaraz gets to observe them on his off days at Melbourne Park. And those, for now, don't involve other sporting distractions.
For Alcaraz, focus will shift to No. 32 Corentin Moutet, who advanced to the third round when American qualifier Michael Zheng retired from their second-round match on Court 6 with an adductor strain. Moutet was leading 3-6, 6-1, 6-3, 2-0.
Zheng, a tennis star at Columbia, said the step up to best-of-five set matches and the rigors of qualifying and entering a Grand Slam main draw for the first time had taken a toll.
The 21-year-old Zheng, who won the NCAA individual championship in 2024 and '25, beat fellow American Sebastian Korda in five sets Sunday for his first tour-level win.
He said there was plenty to be proud of in his Australian Open debut.
“Qualifying for the first time, making the first round, and in a tough match, too, saving a match point,” Zheng said. “Winning the first round was amazing against a former top-20 player.”
The one regret was the missed chance to take on Alcaraz, who finished his match on Rod Laver Arena about the time Zheng was leading the first set against Moutet.
“When the draw came out, you know, you saw Alcaraz. You’re in that section,” he said. “Of course, it’s always in the back of the mind, you get the chance to play the No. 1 player in the world, it doesn’t happen very often. He’s someone who is going to go down as a legend in the sport.
“Definitely unfortunate, but hopefully I’ll get the opportunity in the future.”
Michael Zheng of the U.S. plays a backhand return to Corentin Moutet of France during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
Yannick Hanfmann of Germany receives treatment from a trainer during his second round match against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts with partner Andre Agassi, left, of the United States in their doubles match against Lleyton Hewitt and Pat Rafter of Australia during the Opening Ceremony for the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain plays a forehand return to Yannick Hanfmann of Germany during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates after defeating Yannick Hanfmann of Germany in their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump will appear Wednesday with other high-profile government and business leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, a day after the elite event produced contentious statements and economic threats arising from tensions between the U.S. and Europe.
Nearly 3,000 high-level participants from 130 countries, plus an untold number of activists and observers, are expected to converge on the annual event scheduled to last through Friday for dialogue, debate and deal-making in the Alpine resort.
Trump’s third visit as president comes as U.S. allies worry about his ambition to take over Greenland, while Latin America grapples with his efforts to seize Venezuela’s oil.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday called Trump’s planned new tariffs on eight of its countries over Greenland a “mistake” and questioned Trump’s trustworthiness. French President Emmanuel Macron said the EU could retaliate by deploying one of its most powerful economic tools, known colloquially as a trade “bazooka.”
Here is the latest:
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said his country does not regret joining NATO in 2024 despite the current upheaval.
“Absolutely not,” he said Tuesday in response to a journalist’s question on the Davos sidelines.
“We are in very good cooperation with 31 allies within NATO and we are doing great progress and we are being integrated very rapidly and we are already making big efforts also to increase NATO’s combined capacities in our part of the world,” Kristersson said.
Danish veterans feel betrayed as the U.S. escalates threats to seize Greenland, a territory of Denmark.
The Associated Press spoke to two veterans who fought alongside U.S. forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The veterans said they understand Arctic security concerns but believe Denmark is committed to defending the region within NATO. They fear the Trump administration’s actions could end the alliance and damage their admiration for the U.S.
There were 44 Danish soldiers killed in Afghanistan, the highest per capita death toll among coalition forces. Eight more died in Iraq.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi applauded the Lebanese government’s efforts to stabilize the tiny Mediterranean country, an apparent reference to its efforts to disarm non-state groups, notably Hezbollah.
Speaking in a panel Tuesday in Davos, the Egyptian leader said Lebanon “finds find a way to achieve complete stability.”
El-Sissi also spoke about the latest development in Syria and called for the inclusion of all Syrian groups in the political process.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said he “would not speculate” on whether the NATO alliance has shattered beyond repair in the wake of Trump’s threats to take over Greenland.
Sweden joined NATO in 2024.
Kristersson, speaking to the Associated Press on the sidelines of Davos, said Europeans are willing to beef up security in Greenland and across the Arctic but “we will not accept to be blackmailed.”
World markets appear to have settled for now following a sharp drop after Trump threatened to impose extra tariffs of 10%, later rising to 25%, on imports from eight European countries.
U.S. futures advanced early Wednesday and Asian markets were mixed.
European shares opened marginally lower. But the price of gold shot up nearly 2%, surpassing its past records to trade at about $4,860 a troy ounce. Precious metals tend to gain in times of global uncertainty since they are viewed as a safe haven from risk.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on Wednesday said the Palestinian cause is still “at the forefront of priorities” in the Middle East.
He told a panel at Davos that resolving Palestinian cause “is the core of regional stability, and a cornerstone to achieve a just and comprehensive peace.”
The Egyptian leader lauded Trump’s efforts to help reach a ceasefire that stropped the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza in October.
El-Sissi also encouraged international investment in his cash-strapped nation.
The president lauded his government’s efforts to overhaul infrastructure in Egypt, which he said was aimed at drawing private sector investments.
“The environment in Egypt is very attractive,” he said during a panel discussion at Davos.
Bessent said Trump is expected to land in Switzerland about three hours after he was originally scheduled to arrive.
Trump is scheduled to speak at Davos on Wednesday in a highly anticipated address.
The Associated Press asked Bessent about the Wall Street slump on Tuesday after Trump threatened to hit eight European countries with new tariffs as tensions escalate over his attempts to assert American control over Greenland.
The losses were widespread, with nearly every sector losing ground. Major indexes in the U.S. extended losses from last week in what has been a wobbly start to the year.
The S&P 500 fell 143.15 points, or 2.1%, to 6,796.86. It is the steepest drop for the benchmark index since October.
Bessent said he is not concerned.
U.S. Secretary Treasury Scott Bessent on Wednesday decried Europe’s “anger” and “bitterness” over Trump’s tariff threat.
Bessent urged the European Union to wait for Trump to arrive in Davos. He said he believes Europeans will be persuaded to support Trump’s concerns about Greenland once they hear his argument.
Bessent also said he is frustrated with the U.S. Federal Reserve.
The Supreme Court is hearing arguments Wednesday over Trump’s effort to oust Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook based on allegations she committed mortgage fraud, which she denies.
No president has fired a sitting Fed governor in the agency’s 112-year history.
Trump's arrival in Switzerland has been delayed by mechancial trouble.
There was a minor electrical problem late Monday on Air Force One, the aircraft that transports the president, leading the crew to turn around the plane about 30 minutes into the flight out of an abundance of caution.
Trump boarded another aircraft, an Air Force C-32, a modified Boeing 757 normally used by the president for domestic trips to smaller airports, and continued his trip to Davos shortly after midnight.
AP World Economic Forum: https://apnews.com/hub/world-economic-forum
US rapper will.i.am speaks during the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Argentina's President Javier Milei, left, shakes hands with Switzerland's Federal President Guy Parmelin, right, prior to a bilateral meeting on the sideline of the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, WEF, in Davos, Switzerland, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (Laurent Gillieron/Keystone pool via AP)
Mark Rutte, left, Secretary-General, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Karol Nawrocki, center, President of Poland, and Alexander Stubb, right, President of Finland, speak during a panel discussion during the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, in Davos, Switzerland, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone via AP)
President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi speaks during the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Tim Cook, Apple CEO, makes a victory sign to the photographer in the corridors during the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, WEF, in Davos, Switzerland, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone via AP)
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks during the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen talks during the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
French President Emmanuel Macron talks with ECB President Christine Lagarde during the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
President Donald Trump boards Air Force One for a trip to attend the World Economic Form in Davos, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
