Carlos Alcaraz revealed he's been playing golf during his Australian Open off-days, even joining Roger Federer on the course. The top seed, fresh from a second-round win over Yannick Hanfmann, said Federer's golf game is "as beautiful as his tennis" despite only playing for two years. Alcaraz noted Federer has already beaten him despite his own five-year head start.

While Alcaraz practices his swing, other players have different downtime routines. Coco Gauff admitted losing $50 to her father at mini-golf, while Andrey Rublev follows a strict schedule of ice baths, coffee, and sleep. Anastasia Potapova has no downtime at all, with doubles matches keeping her busy. These varied approaches show how athletes manage pressure between matches.

The golf sessions with Federer provide Alcaraz valuable mental breaks during his quest for a career Grand Slam. After his next match against Corentin Moutet, the Spaniard plans more practice but knows the golf courses await. His celebration routine—golf swing impressions after US Open wins—shows how the sport helps him decompress. For top players, balancing intense focus with light hobbies remains key to longevity.