The Australian Open 2025 final wasn’t just about breathtaking rallies and Grand Slam glory – it was a celebrity magnet. Picture this: Liam Hemsworth and Jackie Chan soaking up the action courtside, cricketing legend Ricky Ponting joining the crowd, and then a man who’s literally conquered the wild. Yes, British adventurer and survival expert Bear Grylls swapped jungles for Melbourne to witness the epic showdown between World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and World No. 2 Alexander Zverev. While tennis is its own game of survival, Grylls was asked who could actually make it out alive in the wilderness. And he picked Carlos Alcaraz.!

In an interview, Grylls shared his expert opinion, singling out 21-year-old Carlos Alcaraz as the tennis player most likely to thrive in the wilderness. Explaining his choice, the ‘Man vs Wild’ star said, “I think the key traits in a survivor are positivity, even when it’s grim and difficult there’s a smile on your face. I think Carlos Alcaraz has that doesn’t he? Always positive even when he loses, he looks excited. So I think enthusiasm carries you a long way in the wild.”

Alcaraz’s cheerful resilience clearly resonates beyond the court, with Grylls recognizing the same qualities that make him a fan favorite among tennis enthusiasts.

Interestingly, Grylls isn’t the only celebrity to notice the World No.3’s unique attitude. Hollywood actor Steve Carell, famous for The Office, praised the young Spaniard during Wimbledon last year. Speaking with former player Laura Robson, Carell said, “The thing I like specifically about Alcaraz is that even when he loses a great point, he seems like he enjoyed it. He seems like a kid as he plays. You can feel the childlike nature of the play with him. Like some crazy rally, win or lose, he appreciates it and smiles, and you can tell that he’s just enjoying every moment of it.”

The Spaniard had actually revealed during the 2024 French Open that his smile is one of the reasons for his victory. He said, “I’m winning all the time because I am smiling. And I always said that smiling for me is the key of everything.”

Both Grylls and Carell seem to agree that Carlos Alcaraz’s enthusiasm is his superpower and it’s not just the positive attitude that makes Alcaraz a standout. The Spanish star is widely admired for his graciousness as well, both on and off the court. In 2023, he was the recipient of the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award, an honor that highlights his respectful demeanor even in the face of defeat which was on full display after his exit from the recently concluded AO.

Carlos Alcaraz sends heartfelt messages to Australian Open finalists

Carlos Alcaraz faced a heartbreaking quarterfinal loss to 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic. Despite the tough defeat, he was happy to celebrate his arch-rival Jannik Sinner’s victory in the final.

The World No. 3 quickly took to social media to congratulate Sinner for defending his title in Melbourne. On X he wrote, “Many congrats @janniksin! 👏🏻🏆🇦🇺Bravo!!!”

But Alcaraz didn’t stop there. He also sent a heartfelt message to runner-up Alexander Zverev, who was visibly emotional after losing his third Grand Slam final. Alcaraz, showing his characteristic kindness, shared an encouraging note on Instagram: “Stay strong, Alexander Zverev! Your moment will come, I’m sure!”

It’s no surprise that the 5-time Grand Slam champion caught the attention of someone like Bear Grylls. His ability to stay positive, even under pressure, mirrors the mindset of a true survivor. Whether he’s diving into grueling matches or spreading kindness off the court, Carlos Alcaraz proves that enthusiasm and sportsmanship can carry you a long way.

Though he lost in the quarterfinal this year, the 21-year-old still has 2 more chances to become the youngest player in the open era to complete the Career Grand Slam. Do you think he can do it?