Golf with Federer, coffee and cards – how do players spend days off?

You might think tennis is the only thing on Carlos Alcaraz’s mind at this year’s Australian Open as he tries to complete the career Grand Slam and make history in the process.

But the six-time major winner has been turning his attention to another sport on his off-days.

After his 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 6-2 second-round win over Yannick Hanfmann, the Spaniard was asked if he had found his way on to any golf courses during his down time.

“I have played already. We can always [find] time to play some golf,” top seed Alcaraz said with a smile.

The 22-year-old then revealed he had recently played a round with Roger Federer, whose golf – according to Alcaraz – is “as beautiful as his tennis”.

“It’s unbelievable. Everything he does in style, really beautiful,” Alcaraz said of the 20-time Grand Slam champion.

“He’s been playing for two years now and his level is really good.

“I’ve been playing for five and he’s already beaten me.”

Alcaraz, who is hoping to add to his two French Open, two Wimbledon and two US Open titles this month, said he will have his primary focus on tennis before his third-round match against French 32nd seed Corentin Moutet.

“I will probably practise a little because I want to be better in the next round, but the golf courses are waiting for me and I know that,” Alcaraz, who celebrated each of his US Open match wins last season with a golf-swing impression, added.

While Alcaraz has been tuning up his swing on the fairways over 18 holes, women’s world number three Coco Gauff has been hitting a different type of golf course.

Speaking after her second-round win over Olga Danilovic, Gauff said she had spent her time off playing cards and losing at mini golf.

“I did lose to my dad at mini golf. He won $50 so that was good,” the American said.

Andrey Rublev, meanwhile, has a more relaxed approach to his time off.

The Russian 13th seed outlined his set routine after he beat Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria 6-4 6-3 4-6 7-5 in the second round.

“First of all, ice bath. Then coffee, sleep, coffee, sleep, practice and sleep. That’s it,” Rublev said.

Other players, like Anastasia Potapova, don’t have the luxury of down time.

“Tomorrow actually we play doubles, so no days off. Only business,” she said after defeating British number one Emma Raducanu in straight sets on Wednesday.

“I’ve got a free evening today, but I will make sure I do nothing.”