Armpit Corentin Moutet in action and Alcaraz clash: ‘It’s going to be fun’ | ATP Tour
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Moutet talks about armbar and previews Alcaraz clash: ‘It’s going to be fun’
The French will face the Spanish World No. 1 for the first time on Friday in Melbourne
January 22, 2026
Izhar Khan/AFP via Getty Images
Corentin Moutet greets the crowd after his second round win against Michael Zheng on Wednesday at the Australian Open.
Written by Andy West
When Corentin Moutet steps on the tennis court, you never know what to expect.
The 26-year-old Frenchman is known for his flamboyance and unpredictability in his left-footed game. He is a mercurial talent who will try to make a mistake on Friday against the No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Carlos Alcaraz, in the third round at the Australian Open.
Moutet has already shown glimpses of his performance this week at Melbourne Park. Stepping up to the line against Tristan Schoolkate in the first round, the Frenchman completed his victory by using a shot he has become synonymous with: the armbar.
“I’m very happy with the point I made, because I surprised myself doing it,” Moutet told ATPTour.com on Wednesday. “I didn’t think about it, [my opponent] it was close to the base, and I still do.”
Underarm work has previously been known to cause strong reactions from other players and fans but Moutet, who used the gun six times in one game last June in Mallorca, is clear from his position that how and when the gun is used is important.
“If you’re doing it to annoy the crowd, that’s different. I personally do it if I think I can win a point,” he said. “I am here on the field to win all the points, so I will never do something just for fun, that is not who I am.
“Maybe it will change because we see more players doing it, because it works and it works. For my part, I have never done it to disrespect anyone. So as long as it works, I will continue to do it… I think it has saved me a few times. [Like] against Daniel [Medvedev] in Washington last year.”
Current No. 37 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Moutet is looking to back up a personal-best 2025 season in which he achieved 33 tour-level wins, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. His clash with Alcaraz on Friday will be the first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting.
“I’ve never trained with him and I’ve never played against him, so it will be a surprise, I think, for him,” said Moutet, when asked how his style of play might clash with Alcaraz. “I try not to think too much about what it will be like, I will enter the field with my style of play, and the work we have done with my team to be ready for these games, I feel healthy.
“Let’s see, but it’s definitely going to be fun. Good points, I think. Physical and talented too, so it’s going to be interesting. Let’s see how I can handle it.”
Moutet will be chasing his third win against a Top 10 opponent when he steps into Rod Laver Arena to face Alcaraz. Last season, the French defeated the No. 10 Holger Rune and No. 4 Taylor Fritz at the Queen’s Club, but knows that taking the World No. The current 1, who wants to complete the Career Grand Slam by lifting the Australian Open trophy, will probably be another step.
“He is a very nice person and a great player,” said Spain’s Moutet. “One of the best, I think with Jannik [Sinner]. They are two of the best players right now. I really wanted to play with him because I want to see a high level on the Tour. I’m working hard to get to this level, so it’s always interesting to see what happens there and how they play. So I’m curious and excited to play against him.”
