MELBOURNE: The media, by nature, are a sceptical and often cynical bunch.
But even the grizzled veterans in the press pack can't help but swoon over Carlos Alcaraz's wholesome acts of kindness.
No-one is perfect, and Alcaraz surely has his faults (bad pun intended), but according to those who follow the game intensely – and away from the grand slam bright lights – none of it is performative.
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Take Alcaraz's day out on Friday.
He dazzled on Rod Laver Arena with a Superman shot while seeing off the challenge of Nunu Borges in four sets.
Before the match even started he made John Jones' day.
Carlos Alcaraz made this young man's day. Stan
The 'Hotshots' kid tossed the coin for Alcaraz – who gave the youngster a good luck dap before Jones skipped off the court in pure delight.
After sweating it out in the Melbourne sun, the Spanish superstar then went the extra mile by asking Jones to accompany him to his post-match press obligations and giving him a behind-the-scenes tour.
"It's just so beautiful to watch somebody like Carlos, who is so uber authentic," Mark Petchey said on Stan Sport's Grand Slam Daily.
"In front of the camera is exactly how he is behind the camera and there's no doubt we've seen it with all the great footage Tennis Australia put out here.
"This is the best slam by a mile in terms of backstage footage. We see Carlos opening doors for people, we see that with John yesterday, that was a special moment for the tournament.
"We saw a cleaner, who had a big tub full of towels. Carlos saw the cleaner coming, held the door open, let the cleaner go through, and off he went with his day. So, great stuff."
Alcaraz is likely to enjoy the majority of the crowd's support on Sunday when he takes on Great Britain's Jack Draper in the fourth round.
Draper has knocked out two Australians – Thanasi Kokkinakis and Aleksandar Vukic – in five set marathons.
Petchey, a fellow Brit, fears for the left hander from Surrey.
Chris Stubbs and Mark Petchey on Grand Slam Daily. Stan
"I thought he (Alcaraz) was awesome yesterday. You can't get through these tournaments too often without dropping sets," Andy Murray's former coach said.
"Novak's (Djokovic) never won a major without dropping a set. His forehand is immaculate. That's the best I've seen I've seen him hit his forehand. His serve has an improved motion. He served as well as I've seen him serve. I think he is in a perfect position to launch an assault on this tournament."
Alcaraz, 21, would become the youngest man to complete a career grand slam should he triumph in Melbourne.
