Alcaraz on the trail of Nadal: the record he will aim for at the Australian Open

In Melbourne next year, Carlos Alcaraz will attempt to complete the career Grand Slam and become, at only 22 years old, the youngest player to achieve this feat.

AFP

Jules Hypolite

le 30/11/2025 à 17h21

2 min to read

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At only 22 years old, Carlos Alcaraz has already left a major mark on tennis history, thanks to his precocity — youngest world No. 1 at 19 years and 4 months — and his numerous achievements, with six Grand Slam titles and eight Masters 1000 to his name.

Yet, despite his return to the top of the ATP rankings this year, the Spaniard is still chasing a first title at the Australian Open, the only Grand Slam tournament missing from his record.

A new chance to beat a mythical record of Nadal

Thus, as every start of the season, the native of El Palmar has his eyes fixed on Melbourne with one goal: to complete the career Grand Slam, a feat only five players have achieved in the Open Era (Rod Laver, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic).

By joining this very exclusive circle, Alcaraz would become the sixth player to enter it, but also the youngest to achieve it, far surpassing the mark held by Rafael Nadal since 2010, when he was 24 years and 101 days old.

A tournament that doesn't suit him

However, the mission once again looks tricky for the world No. 1, who has never gone beyond the quarterfinals at Melbourne (reached in 2024 and 2025) in four participations.

The Spaniard knows he will have to surpass himself to triumph in Australia, with the prospect of a possible duel against his rival, but also against the new boss of the place, Jannik Sinner, champion in the last two editions.