Mother of coincidences! Carlos Alcaraz follows Sinner, Nadal and Federer's path to Australian Open title win
(Courtesy : @atptour/Twitter)
Alcaraz is now the youngest and sixth male player to complete a career Grand Slam.
Say hello to the newest and youngest member of the career Grand Slam Club—the reigning World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz. At 22 years and 272 days, he is newest owner of the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup.
The Spaniard defeated Novak Djokovic to become the youngest man in ATP history to complete the career Grand Slam, replacing Australian Don Budge, who set the record at the 1938 Roland Garros.
Alcaraz rallied from a set down for the 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 victory to win his seventh Grand Slam. Alcaraz has now equalled Bjorn Borg’s tally of seven majors for the most by a player under 23 in the Open Era.
It was Alcaraz’s fifth main draw appearance in Melbourne and his first Australian Open title as a 22-year-old. Four other Australian Open champions have won their first title in Melbourne Park at the same age as the World No. 1 – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Jannik Sinner.
In another coincidence, Nadal had become the youngest to complete a career Grand Slam in 2010 by defeating Djokovic. Sixteen years later, Alcaraz achieved the feat by overcoming Djokovic at the 2026 Australian Open.
The Spaniard completed his collection of Grand Slam trophies in Melbourne Park. Having won the hard-court major, his seven Grand Slam titles include two apiece at Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open.
Before the 2026 Australian Open, Alcaraz was in a race with Jannik Sinner to see who would be the first to complete the career Grand Slam. Sinner’s exit in the semi-final stage boosted Alcaraz’s chances of achieving the milestone.
Prior to his title run this year, Alcaraz’s best result at the venue was two quarter-final appearances—losing to Alexander Zverev in 2024 and Djokovic in 2025. With Nadal among the audience, Alcaraz handed Djokovic his first defeat in 11 finals at the Australian Open.
Alcaraz is in elite company as one of only six players in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam. The others on the list are Rod Laver, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Who did Carlos Alcaraz defeat to win his maiden Australian Open title?
Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 to win the Australian Open 2026 title.
What is the coincidence between Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer’s maiden Australian Open titles?
Coincidentally, all four players lifted their first Australian Open titles at the age of 22 and also in their fifth appearance at Melbourne Park.
How many Grand Slam titles has Carlos Alcaraz won so far?
Alcaraz has so far won seven Grand Slams. 1 Australian Open, 2 2 French Open, Wimbledon, 2 US Open.
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Meet Fazeel—a bibliophile and sci-fi aficionado who devours books and movies alike. His favorite form of exercise? Watching tennis from a perfectly positioned couch. Whether he's lost in a gripping novel or absorbed in a five-hour Grand Slam final, he's all in. Favorite quote: “You cannot be serious” – John McEnroe.