Gestures turn kid into most talked about person at Aussie Open

A little Aussie boy has melted hearts and stolen the show after his interactions with superstar Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open.

A skipping, beaming little Melbourne youngster has stolen the show at the Australian Open.

Organisers of this year’s opening grand slam tournament invited hundreds of youngsters from tennis clubs across Victoria to participate in Hot Shots Day, with many families travelling long distances to take part.

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Kids got to experience a variety of events at Melbourne Park, including meeting some of the biggest stars of the tournament, asking questions in press conferences or tossing the coin before matches.

“The kids were all so excited. It will be a day they will remember for a long time,” said Tennis Victoria chief executive Kim Kachel.

“It’s amazing to see the commitment from these small towns to travel such distances to be part of this event.”

Watch John’s big day in the video player above

Carlos Alcaraz helped give an Aussie kid the experience of a lifetime. (Photo by Vince CALIGIURI / TENNIS AUSTRALIA / AFP)

Two-hundred children also had ground pass tickets upgraded so they could watch Alex de Minaur beat American Tristan Boyer at Rod Laver Arena in the second round.

But it would be hard to beat two moments enjoyed by an adorable little kid called John on Friday, with the Australian Open’s official social media account highlighting his once in a lifetime experience.

Judging by the timeline of the social media posts, John firstly got to toss the coin for third seed Carlos Alcaraz’s third round clash with Portugal’s Nuno Borges on Rod Laver Arena.

Alcaraz called the coin toss correctly, much to John’s delight, before the youngster got a photo with both players and a high-five from Alcaraz.

The 21-year-old then responded by dispatching Borges in four sets, 6-2 6-4 6-7 (3-7) 6-2.

“What a star John is,” a Stan Sport commentator said during the coin toss. “How pumped was he there? That’s so cool.

“Absolutely brilliant. Awesome. That is awesome.”

John posing for a photo with Carlos Alcaraz (right) and Nuno Borges. Photo: Stan Sport

He then skipped off court after his big moment. Photo: Stan Sport

Aussie tennis great John Fitzgerald added: “They won’t forget it in their young life will they? Good man. It’s his moment.”

John then produced his trademark move, skipping all the way off the court and waving to the crowd.

But Alcaraz wasn’t finished with the little boy just yet.

John then had another incredible experience with the man who surely must be his favourite player after his match.

The Spanish superstar met John behind the scenes and took him along to the tournament’s official press conference room, talking with the excited youngster the whole way.

“How are you?” Alcaraz asked before John replied “congratulations” for his victory.

“Thank you. Do you want to join me in the press conference?” Alcaraz asked.

“Oh, OK,” he replied.

The Spanish superstar meeting John and giving him a tour behind the scenes. Photos: Australian Open

“Yeah sure, come on, come on,” Alcaraz said.

“I’m so excited,” John replied, skipping once more.

“So you’re here from Melbourne?” Alcaraz asked.

“Yeah I’m from Melbourne.”

“Have you ever seen what the players do after a match? Or is this the first time?” the Spaniard asked.

“This is the first time,” he replied. “So I’m so excited actually.”

“So you’re going to see what we have to do after every match,” Alcaraz explained. “We have to do this after every match, doesn’t matter if we lose or if we win.”

After it was all said and done, Alcaraz said: “I wish to see you, you know, playing on this beautiful court one day.”

“I sure will,” he replied.

Alcaraz (right) duly knocked out Nuno Borges. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

“John, take care, I hope to see you soon,” he added and you got the feeling the genuine superstar meant every word.

The wholesome content was lapped up by tennis fans, with the videos receiving over one million views at the time of writing and many people using one word to describe it.

“This literally made my morning, he was so adorable!” was one comment on X.

“Awww Bless John! How adorable is he & so happy that it was AO for Alcaraz! Well Done young man!” wrote another.

“He’s so adorable. The sprint back stage is the cutest,” tweeted a third.

“I love how all these kids are barely as tall as the net. Sooo cute,” offered a fourth.

Others were keen to give credit to Alcaraz, who went viral earlier in the tournament for holding the door open for a member of staff pushing a trolley.

Alcaraz next faces Jack Draper (left), who beat Australia's Aleksandar Vukic on Friday night. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

One wrote: “That’s so kind. Best vid on X!”

Another fan declared: “So pleased to see he’s as impressive off the court as he is on it. That’s a lovely video.”

An account called Carlos Alcaraz Daily wrote: “This is the most wholesome thing I’ve ever seen.”

Tennis coach Mathias Degardin tweeted: “Alcaraz is an amazing human being man.”

Another felt John was clearly Alcaraz’s good luck charm as he attempts to win the Aussie Open for the first time.

They wrote: “If John doesn’t toss at every Carlitos match for the rest of the tourney what are we even doing?!?”

Another wrote simply: “I think John and his new BFF Carlos have broken the internet today.”

Surely John needs to be in the stands, or tossing the coin, when Alcaraz meets Jack Draper in the fourth round on Sunday.