Top five youngest players to complete a Career Grand Slam

Rafael Nadal is the youngest male tennis player to complete a career Grand Slam.

The 2024 edition of the French Open witnessed history as 21-year-old Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest male player to complete a surface slam, winning Grand Slams on all three surfaces: hard, grass and clay. The Spaniard opened his Grand Slam account at Flushing Meadows by winning the 2022 US Open. Later, he broke Novak Djokovic‘s 34-match winning streak at Wimbledon to win the grass court major in 2023.

Moreover, after being out due to an injury, Alcaraz returned strongly to lift the title at the 2024 Roland-Garros. The three-time Grand Slam champion, who turned 21 just a month ago, broke the longstanding record of his countryman Rafael Nadal as the youngest male player to complete a surface slam. Given his form, he could become the youngest to complete a career Grand Slam if he wins the Australian Open next summer.

In this article, let’s look at the five youngest players who completed a career Grand Slam in singles in the Open Era:

5. Martina Navratilova: 26 Years, 328 Days

Any discussion about tennis legends would be incomplete without Martina Navratilova. The Czech-American was considered the greatest tennis player across categories, as she was the biggest force to be reckoned with not only in singles but also in doubles and mixed doubles. She is one of the two players in the Open Era to have achieved Boxed Set—a career Grand Slam in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

Having played under the Czechoslovakia flag for three years, she moved to the US in 1976 and it paid dividends as she won her first Grand Slam at the 1978 Wimbledon. Her first Grand Slam win Down Under came in 1981 and at Roland-Garros in 1982. But, the best was awaited in 1983, as she had a win percentage of 98.8% with 86 wins and one loss. It also included her first title at the US Open, which helped her complete her career Grand Slam in singles.

.4. Maria Sharapova: 25 Years, 52 Days

Maria Sharapova is one name that had a lot of focus in the 21st century. The 6-foot-2-inch girl burst onto the scene as a 14-year-old in 2001. It took her three years to win her first Grand Slam in 2004, when she triumphed on the grass courts at Wimbledon. The Grand Slams on the hard courts in Australia and the US followed in the next four years.

But, the French Open proved to be elusive for the Russian until she reached her first final at Roland-Garros in 2012. She beat Sara Errani in straight sets to win the French Open and complete her career Grand Slam. She went on to qualify for the finals in Paris at the next two editions and won it again in 2014, which turned out to be her final Grand Slam.

3. Rafael Nadal: 24 Years, 102 Days

Rafael Nadal is the current holder of the record for the youngest player in the men’s category to complete a career Grand Slam. He is not new to holding records from a young age, as he won the French Open in his first appearance at Roland-Garros in 2005. The Spaniard dominated the clay courts in Paris, winning the title for four consecutive years until 2008.

The year 2008 was a breakthrough year for the southpaw, as he qualified for the semis of all the Grand Slams, including his maiden Wimbledon title and an Olympic gold. With the 2009 Australian Open and the 2010 US Open, the Spaniard completed his career Grand Slam at the age of 24.

2. Serena Williams: 21 Years, 121 Days

Serena Williams is one of the greatest players in modern tennis history. Born in 1981, the American won her maiden Grand Slam in 1999 at the US Open as an 18-year-old. She needed three more years to win the Wimbledon Championships and the French Open. At the time of her “surface slam” accomplishment, she was 20 years and 10 months old.

Williams eventually completed her career Grand Slam by winning the Australian Open in 2003. She was just 22-years-old when she achieved this feat and it was a sign of things to come. She is the only player to complete a career golden slam in singles and doubles. The American had 23 Grand Slams, the most in the Open Era, when she hung up her boots.

1. Steffi Graf: 19 Years, 69 Days

The first thing a tennis fan would recall after hearing Steffi Graf’s name is her on-court elegance and flair. The German legend was known for her athletic ability combined with her powerful forehand, which made tennis fans witness her game in awe. She was a naturally gifted athlete and turned pro at the young age of 14.

She won her first Grand Slam title with an impressive performance at the 1987 French Open. The next year turned out to be Graf’s year, as she became the first player to achieve the golden slam, winning all four Grand Slams and Olympic gold in the same calendar year. Graf was just 19-years-old when she achieved this impeccable milestone.

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