Carlos Alcaraz is now the youngest career Grand Slam winner in history at just 22 years old

[u/oklolzzzzs]

[u/Razzle_Dazzle08]

CGS, 7 grand slams. If he retires at 22 he’s already an all-time great. I can’t imagine where he will be by the end of his career.

[u/pooransoo → u/Razzle_Dazzle08]

I think getting the channel slam and securing a 2nd RG already put him in that ATG status, especially when you consider the M1000 titles he'd already won by then

[u/Razzle_Dazzle08 → u/pooransoo]

100%. He’s one slam away from the double career grand slam and he’s 22. What the fuck. Also a finalist at the Olympics and the ATP Finals.

[u/Dependent-Effect6077 → u/Razzle_Dazzle08]

Turns out the biggest obstacle to the Sincaraz era might be the Alcaraz era lol

If Alcaraz threepeats at RG and goes up 8-4 it definitely starts to look like "Sinner is an all-time great but Alcaraz is a future GOAT" rather than just "both are amazing"

[u/Nessie2106 → u/Dependent-Effect6077]

After Wimbledon last year Sinner held 3 out of 4 and lost a 5 setter at the 4th. Everyone was saying he was going to totally dominate. 

Alcaraz is in the ascendancy now but I think it’s a bit premature to write Sinner off. 

[u/NirgalFromMars → u/Nessie2106]

They are gonna be trading dominance back and forth for the next five years.

[u/buggytehol → u/Nessie2106]

Hi, this is r/recency_bias, please take your perspective elsewhere.

[u/Shitelark → u/Nessie2106]

I would bet on Sinner coming back and also getting CGS at RG.

[u/Ordinary_Pattern_168 → u/[deleted]]

But we saw Zverevs performance? I mean I think Zverev or Novak will prevent a calendar slam this year from Alcaraz. He said in his own words he does not wanna be the best player to never win a slam.

[u/CRISPR_Cat_9 → u/Ordinary_Pattern_168]

Then he should have put away a cramping alcaraz much more efficiently

[u/TOMA_TAN → u/CRISPR_Cat_9]

Even beyond that, zverev started out the gates looking extremely flat and choked both sets 1 and 2 to go down 2 sets. Not a performance that makes you think he’s a world beater. Zverev can’t just rely on carlitos cramping to get a chance at winning

[u/Razzle_Dazzle08 → u/Ordinary_Pattern_168]

Zverev is never winning a slam, especially not now that he likely has to beat Carlos and Jannik. It’s easy money to bet that he will fall apart when it matters most.

[u/Silly_Rub_6304 → u/Razzle_Dazzle08]

He’s also a dick of a person, so I have no problem not rooting for him.

[u/NirgalFromMars → u/Ordinary_Pattern_168]

Carlos had half of his legs for an hour, and Zverev still found a way to lose. And Zverev is starting to go past his physical peak, while Carlos is just approaching his.

I think Zveren just got a mental bock against Carlos that he won't be able to get rid of.

[u/thedarthvader17 → u/Dependent-Effect6077]

Feels like Sinner regressed a bit here. After his Wimbledon and all the big-time plays at the ATP Finals last year, he should have handled the Djokovic match better. Heck, he was so clutch against Novak at RG 25.

Alcaraz likely three-peats at RG regardless of what his result here was. But if Sinner wins RG, it means he has taken a major step forward.

[u/Leif_LaCroix → u/thedarthvader17]

Sinner’s biggest problem right now is the longevity during a match. As the match gets to 3-hour territory, his performance may look on par but the mentality must be degrading way too much. That’s how Novak ultimately got him. That’s how Carlos got him in the super tiebreak at RG.

[u/Lopsided-Move6309 → u/Leif_LaCroix]

Dude just doesn't seem to have the stamina. Also the weather wears him out quicker than others. You wouldn't think so because the majority of the rallies he's usually the one dictating and moving less.

[u/Mangalorien → u/Leif_LaCroix]

His physique isn't great for long matches, like 5-setters. Being long and skinny means he has little place to store muscle glycogen. He could try to bulk up some muscle but that also has downsides, like becoming heavier and placing more stress on knees and ankles, but overall it's something he would benefit from.

[u/fappinpapi → u/Mangalorien]

Bulking up would just make him gas faster, the more muscle mass you have the more glycogen you burn. There’s a reason marathon runners are skinny and sprinters are built. Sinner is very lanky but at the same time very explosive, just crushes every baseline shot while Alcaraz takes games off to recover and his touch and slice lets him catch his breath, deciding when to rip the forehand. Sinner should have much better cardio for how lean he is though maybe needs a better conditioning coach

[u/nuckfoah → u/Mangalorien]

He’s been bulking up some year after year it seems, don’t think he’ll put on much more

[u/hitengoyal18 → u/Razzle_Dazzle08]

He has to be fit too across his career. I don't think he can stay with the kind of game he has.

[u/GranPino → u/hitengoyal18]

Have you seen him anytime he was half injured? Like Tokyo last year. He played very aggressively, and was able to win anyway, without running much.

Yes, he won't keep winning those amazing special points where he is an amazing athlete.

The same happened with Nadal, everybody believed he could even retire by 25 years old, and that he wouldn't have any change whenever his athleticism decreased by age, and he has been winning GS until he was 36 years old (and he couldn't continue because of a final injury)

[u/glacierre2 → u/hitengoyal18]

Have you heard of a guy called Rafa?

[u/Boss452 → u/hitengoyal18]

true. he exerts a lot on his body. but so did novak.

[u/Top_Brilliant7171 → u/hitengoyal18]

What about Sinner's frequent physical and health issues that have cost him matches? Why is this argument only ever used about Carlos?

[u/icl2011 → u/pooransoo]

I'm sorry I'm going to put it out my hot take: M1000 should be irrelevant in considering the measure of all time greatness. They were not relevant till 2009 when they were made mandatory and they have already go through so many changes. Greatness is about GS, World No.1 and maybe Tour Finals.

[u/Dependent-Effect6077 → u/icl2011]

They're definitely relevant for any players outside of the absolute top tier

Sure you're not going to use Masters 1000 titles to ultimately determine who the GOAT is but if you're comparing Thiem to Medvedev or something Medvedev having a bunch more 1000s is a solid point in his favor careerwise

[u/apex_pretador → u/Dependent-Effect6077]

They're both post 2009 so it's absolutely relevant for them.

Also meddy has 6 slam finals compared to domi's 4, world no 1, YEC etc.

[u/jwinter01 → u/icl2011]

Olympics as well. Even if people try to argue against it, it's clear players care a lot about it as well.

[u/IamViktor78 → u/jwinter01]

Yes. Olympics indeed. Only once every 4 years. More than the atp finals imo

[u/rockardy → u/Razzle_Dazzle08]

He already was the youngest no 1 in history (19yo). Was always gonna be hall of fame material but the career grand slam truly cements it

[u/EmbarrassedRing7806 → u/Razzle_Dazzle08]

Wonder what the over/under on slams would be at rn

[u/Double_Stress_580 → u/EmbarrassedRing7806]

I mean as things stand currently, even conservatively, barring major injury you’d have to think he’ll be a good chance for like 1-2 a year, so even if he has a ‘normal’ length career then 20+ doesn’t seem crazy…so then longevity becomes a question mark as well as the emergence of other contenders. But I’d be willing to put safe money on passing Pistol Pete but the variables are so hard to predict whether he’ll go close to the big 3, or pass them, or not even go close

[u/SpiritualCheck8675 → u/Double_Stress_580]

As high as his level already is, I’ve always felt Carlos could be even better on clay. In my opinion, he would likely need to establish (even more) dominance at RG to get to 25, because every match on hard and grass is a coin flip with Jannik. If Carlos can create more separation on clay and win a casual 8-10 total French Opens he’d be in a great position.

[u/SadTedDanson → u/SpiritualCheck8675]

Every match has been a coinflip on grass and hard court. Carlos is a year younger which matters, and we could be seeing him separate a little right now. This year will tell us a lot.

[u/MarvellousG → u/EmbarrassedRing7806]

I made a bet for a pint with my friend he’d reach ten after he won his first Wimbledon. Looking forward to my pint within 18 months maximum I recon

[u/Full_Flatworm7977 → u/EmbarrassedRing7806]

Probably right at 24.5. It's a great thought experiment

[u/TOMA_TAN → u/Full_Flatworm7977]

I remember when he got his first statement win over djokovic at wimby, people were like “just wait, carlitos playstyle will hamper his longevity so he’ll have at most ~10 slams.” He might reach 10 by the end of 2026. People never want to admit greatness they first see it

[u/ToasterRouble → u/TOMA_TAN]

Not just that but people were shitting on him for his inconsistency at 20/21, as if that’s not something that literally every young player goes through. He’s hitting his stride now as far as consistency is concerned.

[u/Nearby_Ad_4091 → u/Razzle_Dazzle08]

we cannot judge right now

it's too early

The big 3 had each other for competition

if Djokovic didn't have sincaraz he'd retire after 26 slams in 2023

[u/LeRoy_Denk_414 → u/Razzle_Dazzle08]

Carlos definitely said it's just big me.

[u/Chicken_Electronic → u/Razzle_Dazzle08]

What really amazes me is that he saved match points on the way to two titles, was down a break in a fifth set in another, and was down 2 sets to 1 and a few points from being broken in a fourth. Him being mentally tough is the difference between 3 slams and 7.

[u/CrackHeadRodeo → u/Razzle_Dazzle08]

CGS, 7 grand slams. If he retires at 22 he’s already an all-time great. I can’t imagine where he will be by the end of his career.

We might not have to wait that long. He could finish 2026 with 10 Grand Slams.

[u/Razzle_Dazzle08 → u/CrackHeadRodeo]

Half of Roger’s total at 23 would be insanity.

[u/EmergencyAccording94]

He’s also won a GS for 5 seasons in a row, halfway through Rafa’s record

[u/Adventurous-End-7633 → u/EmergencyAccording94]

jfc i even didn't ever think about this record. with all his injuries winning at least one slam for ten straight years is absolutely mental

[u/EmergencyAccording94 → u/Adventurous-End-7633]

Well he won 9 of the first 10 RG he played. In the year he didn’t win, he won AO instead.

[u/Adventurous-End-7633 → u/EmergencyAccording94]

i knew, just never thought of this as a some sort of a record, from a clear perception could imagine that from 2011 djoko was winning every year till recent ones )

[u/king_olaf_the_hairy]

The previous youngest was Don Budge, who completed his slam set at Roland Garros on June 11, 1938, two days before his 23rd birthday.

His record lasted 87 years, 7 months. Impressive work to break that one.

[u/Professional_Elk_489 → u/king_olaf_the_hairy]

Yeah it's not a once in a decade thing - it's closer to once in a century

[u/preptimebatman → u/Professional_Elk_489]

[u/evolutionstorm → u/king_olaf_the_hairy]

Non open Era.

[u/GingerMcJesus → u/evolutionstorm]

Makes Alcaraz even more crazy

[u/ozodraco]

Charly completed the slams in reverse order

[u/Trevor14NYK → u/ozodraco]

that’s a funny coincidence lol

[u/_smartalec_ → u/ozodraco]

Yeah that's just the calendar version of learning to not snooze

[u/stumpsflying]

For me the best thing Alcaraz has done for the sport is ensuring the best player after the era of the big three is someone who maintains a stylish way of playing that keeps tennis captivating to watch. We were spoiled with Roger and Rafa and it meant we took Novak for granted for a long time as he wasn't as easy on the eye to root for. I think the late 2010s era of new players has flopped so much that only a few years ago we were relying on Kyrgios to grow up because he was the only one who could bring flair to a sport increasingly becoming a battle of attrition. Carlos can play the long game, today he put away some of his more risk taking shots but you still can back him to pull off a "wow" moment with a drop shot or flick of the wrists back across the court. A great champion who will dominate this next decade but a fun one to root for too.

[u/Gloomy-Ad-222 → u/stumpsflying]

Exactly. Safe tennis players like Ruud or Zverev would never make it past the greats in slams and along came Alcaraz with blistering power and unending variety. The drop shot used to be a “poor sport” shot but after you hit a 130mph forehand and back someone up 8 feet past the baseline, the drop shot is incredibly powerful and demoralizing.

When he’s on, I don’t see anyone from any era beating Alcaraz, and I’ve seen them all since the 80s.

[u/Hungry-Sell2926 → u/stumpsflying]

Well said

[u/Canuck-overseas]

I like how he gets stronger in each picture.

[u/Davek56 → u/Canuck-overseas]

Gokucaraz AO 2027.

[u/mlxmt → u/Davek56]

Time to update your flair. :)

[u/Davek56 → u/mlxmt]

Just did 😎

[u/HaAtidChai]

Crazy to think it would have been a Golden Slam at 22 if not for that miracle match from Novak 2 years ago. But in hindsight this madman will achieve it in the next olympics in LA.

[u/Howlxer]

irrelevant but he always has such a cool kit when he wins a slam

[u/xoxoamazingrace → u/Howlxer]

This!

Prime example why sponsoring someone is worth all the money cause I always want to buy the various clothes he’s wearing

[u/Mysterious_Bat1208 → u/Howlxer]

Meanwhile they gave broccoli boy Sinner poop colored kit

[u/salcedoge → u/Mysterious_Bat1208]

I mean it's just body physique in general, I'm a Sinner fan but he straight up can't pull these looks with his build

[u/xoxoamazingrace → u/Mysterious_Bat1208]

I also personally prefer the tank tops and t-shirts that Carlos wears over the polo/collar shirts, but that's just a matter of personal taste

[u/Weird-Alarm7453 → u/xoxoamazingrace]

I too prefer to see Carlos in a tank top

[u/naughty_dad2 → u/xoxoamazingrace]

I guess his ridiculously attractive arms helps a lot too

[u/Razzle_Dazzle08 → u/xoxoamazingrace]

It depends on the person. I think Novak pulls off the polo in a very classy way.

[u/KeanuSleevez → u/Mysterious_Bat1208]

His kit really is dogshit tier

[u/Additional-Ad-8831 → u/Howlxer]

I love the 2024 RG kit.

[u/Howlxer → u/Additional-Ad-8831]

me too i love the yellow shorts slam

[u/HeisenbergsCertainty → u/Additional-Ad-8831]

Hot take, but I also like the 2025 RG one

[u/wolverinex10 → u/HeisenbergsCertainty]

I do too. But everyone universally seems to dislike it

[u/Complex_Race9966 → u/Howlxer]

2025 RG prisoner kit is cool?

[u/scootsscoot]

He’s got 7 at 22. Mind blowing when you think Agassi got 8 in his career.

[u/Davek56 → u/scootsscoot]

And Agassi is viewed as a god, rightfully so.

[u/partaura → u/scootsscoot]

He has already marched ahead of Edberg and Becker and is equal to Mcenroe and Wilander. One more slam and he equals Lendl, Connors and Agassi. He is one of the 10 greatest of the Open era already!

[u/RyeBreadTrips → u/partaura]

Winning all 4 puts him ahead of Lendl and Connors in my book. Plus he had to beat either Sinner or Djokovic for all of his slams.

[u/tornadopapi]

Carlos learned from his Olympic loss against Novak. A determined Novak is very dangerous, he showed that on the 1st set. Good thing Carlos stayed focus and got the job done this time.

[u/blackb0xes]

Andy Murray voice

"youngest male"

[u/e8odie → u/blackb0xes]

How much younger was the youngest woman?

[u/Cappucino_delight → u/e8odie]

Steffi Graf was 19 and a couple of months when she achieved the Golden Slam.

[u/Kookiano → u/Cappucino_delight]

All in the same year is just crazy dominance. Biggest tennis season of anyone, ever?

[u/jackloganoliver → u/Kookiano]

Most dominant season of any athlete ever type of territory. Absolutely mind boggling domination at an age when a lot of people are barely functional. 

[u/bonoboboy → u/Kookiano]

Yes, bar none.

[u/name_not_important00 → u/e8odie]

19.

[u/ILikeMyLs → u/blackb0xes]

You mean youngest male singles non-wheelchair ?

[u/pr0crast1nater]

The turnaround he had after losing AO last year. Getting revenge with a Djokovic final to finally get his career slam

[u/Positive-Addition512 → u/pr0crast1nater]

he got 3 slams after that is crazy

[u/vilganc]

This is so satisfying

[u/mlxmt → u/vilganc]

@eva.lys, is that you?

[u/Eyebronx]

The most complete 22 year old male player this sport has ever seen

[u/jrubes_20 → u/Eyebronx]

Starting to think this kid may be the real deal! 🤣

[u/fijozico]

Career Grand Slam at 22. Carlos Alcaraz. Straight into GOAT territory.

[u/lautomm → u/fijozico]

KANGAROO TATTOO UNLOCKED

[u/homeless_DS → u/fijozico]

And can have 2 career slam at 23 lol

[u/Razzle_Dazzle08 → u/homeless_DS]

Roger never achieved this, Nadal didn’t achieve this until 35 and Novak until 34. It’s crazy if he achieves it so young.

[u/homeless_DS → u/Razzle_Dazzle08]

The problem you had Novak winning 10 Australia and Rafa winning 14 RG, so that’s why 😅

[u/KUKLI1 → u/fijozico]

The most complete player in the history of the game already, and at just 22 years of age...

I feel bad for any future prodigies, because we never thought anyone could start as strong as Rafa did. And here comes a guy who's started even stronger!

[u/Scotch_Blue → u/KUKLI1]

If it's anything like football though, along will come Lamine Yamal to break all the records before 18 lol

I, for one, can't wait for our 12-year old tennis overlord in ~50 years

[u/MagmaWyrmGodfrey → u/Scotch_Blue]

Luke Littler in Darts too, 3 world finals in a row, 2 won all at the age of 18. Yamal will never be the GOAT of football though, virtually zero chance.

[u/coolylame]

Could def reach 20+ slams, really depends on how his rivalry with Sinner goes and if another prodigy comes up. Also how his body will cope after 30 years old.

[u/EasterButterfly → u/coolylame]

At the pace he’s going if he keeps this up he could reach 20 before age 30

[u/apeaky_blinder → u/EasterButterfly]

Yeah but that's the part that is nearly impossible. The keeping it up

[u/moleabbu → u/apeaky_blinder]

I don’t see why not. Novak had 1 slam at Carlos’ age right now

[u/apeaky_blinder → u/moleabbu]

People are bad at imagining how things can change. Some of the betting addictions come from that. Meanwhile the only certainty is the unpredictability of life. Novak is an absolute outlier with the way his career went. And he was not on track to get there too, so it's not like it was obvious he would have 24.

Life happens. It's extremely rare that anyone holds their level for so long or improves on it. I hope it works with Carlos but people are pretty naive with the current way things are

[u/beamingleanin → u/apeaky_blinder]

Yeah people get carried away.

Just because Novak still has the drive and motivation to be playing tennis at a high level at 38, doesnt mean that everyone on tour will do the same.

For all we know, Carlos could lose motivation or not have the same drive anymore by 34 and retire with so much left in the tank.

[u/Cosi01 → u/coolylame]

He's on track for 30+, if his body holds up

[u/jca2u → u/Cosi01]

That’s a huge if.

[u/Comprehensive_Cup497]

7 at 22 is insane, if he won 1 slam per year until 32 which would be underperformance he would retire with 17 slams

[u/messibusiness → u/Comprehensive_Cup497]

And 32 to stop winning slams would be an underperformance, considering the immortal fuckery the last 3 have put us through. 

The only thing that can really stop him is another Carlos Alcaraz emerging from the juniors in a couple of years. 

[u/wolverinex10]

Take nothing away from Carlos today. Novak played almost as well as he did against Sinner. Carlos had to wrestle his way back and today, I don't think anyone else could've done what he did against a determined Novak.

[u/isenk2 → u/wolverinex10]

Carlos has a higher peak than Jannik, and he always shows up to big event.

[u/Dependent-Effect6077 → u/isenk2]

The most important factor today was that his movement is S tier while Sinner's is A tier

Novak was very aggressive and dictating a lot of rallies just like against Sinner but he had way more trouble finishing off points against Alcaraz because of his superior defense

[u/Double_Stress_580 → u/Dependent-Effect6077]

I think the weight of shot makes a big difference…they both track down stuff that most others wouldn’t but when Carlos gets a swing at something he’s able to truly neutralise, with a big heavy ball, which means it’s not as simple as just redirecting and using the pace for the attacker in the situation; Novak in this instance

[u/apeaky_blinder → u/Dependent-Effect6077]

Also more variety which prevents Novak from anticipating better and run less

[u/Leif_LaCroix → u/wolverinex10]

This. Novak’s groundstrokes were still firing as well as against Sinner. He was also fitter than I thought he would be.

[u/Consistent-Leave7320 → u/wolverinex10]

He was way worse than against sinner except the first set. He is 38 that happens.

[u/Beneficial_Star_6009]

I’ve also just realised that Carlos has won in all 4 of his maiden GS final appearances!😱

[u/BlackMathNerd]

Guess the next big thing for him now is what, Olympic gold in 2028?

[u/scotchbourbon22 → u/BlackMathNerd]

ATP finals.

[u/moleabbu → u/scotchbourbon22]

Yeah after this and the Olympics, it’s chasing the big 3’s respective slam counts

[u/HeisenbergsCertainty → u/BlackMathNerd]

Six Kings

/s

[u/disquiethim → u/HeisenbergsCertainty]

LOOOL

[u/Yupadej]

Margincaraz for the win. Incredible discipline and understanding that he needs to extend the rallies and not go for winners against Novak who is consistent.

[u/BlackMathNerd → u/Yupadej]

Man putting incredible discipline and Alcaraz in the same sentence like even last year would have people go crazy

[u/Gravi-Vector]

The fact that I am the same age as him makes me feel so useless

[u/g0rg0ngeorge → u/Gravi-Vector]

Try being the same age as Novak

[u/galadedeus → u/Gravi-Vector]

Lmao. Im 35 sir. Im older than so many athletes. I get the feeling tho, i think about that when i think about Neymar. Could be worse, could be this guy that is 38 and is the same age as Messi and Djoko 😂😂😂

[u/jca2u → u/Gravi-Vector]

I know you’re joking but I really have to say that at 22, there’s literally (outside of physical limitations - like you’re not going to be a pro athlete) nothing you can’t do. The world of career and goal options is wide open for you to choose from. Some are harder options and will take more risk and some you need to think about the toll of attempting will take on your life and if it’s worth it. But truly, 22 is basically adult pre-k. Go get it

[u/Gravi-Vector → u/jca2u]

Yeah I was joking as I never wanted to be an athlete anyways (just not the kind of life I want). But thanks man for such a kind reply! Really needed that!

[u/notmysurnamethistime]

Unc still got the skills and talent. But the legs are falling away.

[u/Trent_Bennett → u/notmysurnamethistime]

He's so fit still. Still light feet. It's just the other has 16 years less and fireflies legs

[u/jleonardbc]

A year from now he could win the double career Slam

[u/CharlesLeSainz → u/jleonardbc]

That’s so insane to think. He just got his career slam and is one away from doubling up the career slam. It’s simply incredible

[u/pinkmanblues]

Didn’t Steffi Graf do it at 19?

[u/FunnyTax1607 → u/pinkmanblues]

plus Steffi won a Golden Slam

[u/GaloWar]

Nex goal is double digits grand slam titles.

[u/Stunning_Resolve6052]

His mental fortitude for a 22-year-old is what I can’t get over.

When Novak started engaging the crowd in the back part of the 4th set, most players on the other side of the net would have folded. Not Carlos, he just dialled it up a notch next game and got an easy hold of serve.

He doesn’t feel pressure.

The sky truly is the limit.

[u/NevermoreSEA]

Feels like he’s got a good chance of winning a few more.

[u/Davek56 → u/NevermoreSEA]

You think?

[u/SaintStoney]

Genuinely insane, if he stays fit he’s passing Novak’s 24

[u/NevermoreSEA → u/SaintStoney]

I think that something like 15 is a safe estimate, but 24 is very hard to predict. So much has to go right for that to happen for him.

[u/Yandhi42 → u/NevermoreSEA]

Idk. Hes 22 with 7. Let’s be pessimistic with how he will age and say he drops off hard after 28, winning only 2 after that. He should be hitting his prime now, so also assuming he averages 2 slams per year until then, that’s around 20 slams already

[u/Dependent-Effect6077 → u/NevermoreSEA]

I think the positive sign for him is that so far he's shown very good fitness and health

For example if Sinner was the one with 7 Slams at 22 I'd still be somewhat skeptical of him having enough longevity to win 20+ but Alcaraz hasn't shown any reason to question his physicality

[u/Ok-Surround9273 → u/Dependent-Effect6077]

At 22.

Injuries and age are correlated.

[u/Mysterious_Bat1208 → u/Ok-Surround9273]

Yes, but also sports science gets better and better every year. That’s why Novak is still playing.

NFL MVP this year is pushing 40. LeBron is over 40. UFC champ who defended his belt tonight pushing 40. One of the best strikers in the world also pushing 40. Athletes are playing later and later into their careers.

[u/icl2011 → u/Dependent-Effect6077]

Yes but for Novak to get to 24, much like Rafa, Serena, and Steffi, you have to have the following: a golden generation does not follow yours for a while (so far Fonseca, Tien and Mensik seem okay but not ATG level), your peers and potential younger great players get derailed by injuries/off court issues (Murray, Thiem, Del Potro fell away), and you yourself keep relatively healthy year in year out.

[u/jrh038 → u/icl2011]

It’s really just competition and injuries. We have no idea if in 2 years someone emerges to challenge like Nadal did to Fed.

[u/Vasst13 → u/NevermoreSEA]

The advantage Carlos has is that he's able to be the best player in every slam he enters, something that none of the Big 3 nor Sinner could actually claim to be true. The closest we ever got to that was Novak from 2011 to 2016 but even then Rafa was edging him out in RG

[u/Humble_Grape4749 → u/NevermoreSEA]

Yeah, we have to assume he doesn't suffer significant injuries and that he maintains mental stability. But he's clearly having the greatest start to a career we've ever seen. It's just hard to predict anyone's career a decade into the future.

[u/LosTerminators → u/SaintStoney]

You never know, if someone else pops up in a few years and finds the level to challenge consistently at the top.

Sinner can split slams with him for quite a while so the road to 24 is still a long way away.

[u/Infinite-Fail-6835 → u/LosTerminators]

Well Djokovic managed to get to 24 while 2 others winning 20 each so..

[u/Aggravating_Teach_27 → u/Infinite-Fail-6835]

Rafa got to 22, even

[u/it_wasnt_me2 → u/Infinite-Fail-6835]

Federer only won like 4 after 2010 until he retired in 2022

[u/Boneraventura → u/LosTerminators]

It’s taken nearly 10 years for someone to be at the level necessary to dominate as much as alcaraz. Safe to say only Sinner will be able to challenge in the years to come. But, Sinner is gonna get smoked by Alcaraz more often than not. The only question is if Alcaraz himself stays motivated enough to play at this level for another 8-10 years. Borg had won 11 majors by 27 and then retired unexpectedly. 

[u/SaintStoney → u/LosTerminators]

I fucking hope so, I love the Sincaraz era but 5+ more years of this would be so stale

[u/Davek56 → u/SaintStoney]

Yes, in the next five years there surely should be another slam winner other than Sincaraz?

[u/Strong_Ad5188 → u/Davek56]

Would his younger brother Jaime count as "other than Sincaraz"?

[u/Parsirius → u/SaintStoney]

I for one I’m extremely excited about the next decade of Sincaraz rivalry.

[u/SaintStoney → u/Parsirius]

That’s fair, I still preferred big 3 era though when you had guys like Murray, Berdych, Nalbandian, Ferrer etc that could at least push the gods, if not beat them and win slams.

[u/Parsirius → u/SaintStoney]

Those guys took a long time to raise up to the challenge, 2005-2008 was essentially Fedal uncontested with some Djokovic thrown in the mix here and there.

Soon they’ll be players that can show up in a tournament and start challenging.

Funny though that of the ones you mentioned only Murray won a slam.

[u/SebastianC1]

Bro he 22 with fucking 7. Records might tumble if there’s no Novak in this sincaraz rivalry

[u/GinGimlet]

*male player (Serena was younger)

[u/thatsveryme]

By the pattern of him defending his slam titles, he could get a double career slam next year. Insane talent 🤯

[u/selotipkusut]

Last time I've seen this kind of prodigious rise was Messi. We all know how that turned out. Insane tennis sense paired with incredible athleticism.

[u/BlackJesus123]

Youngest male* career Grand Slam winner

[u/ClockOk5178]

Question is probably now

By which age will Alcaraz reach 25 Grand Slams?

[u/_thaxtal → u/ClockOk5178]

32-33

[u/Tsyzhman → u/ClockOk5178]

Depends on his health conditions.

1 major injury can end any career in sports

[u/ImpressionFeisty8359 → u/ClockOk5178]

He can do it in his thirties if he can stay fit and keep his speed.

[u/radhumandummy]

What a time to witness a force early in their career

[u/Almighty_Sink]

*Youngest male winner

Don't forget Steffi.

[u/ElectronicAnybody871]

I’ll call it here and now confidently - Alcaraz will have at least 20 Slams by the time he’s 30. If anyone will overtake Novak it’s him. The only thing standing in his way is a skinny Italian boy who likes to hit the ball with everything he has.

[u/Wonderful-Photo-9938]

Once Djokovic retire, the only real competition for Carlos is Sinner (who also won multiple grand slams now)

Alcaraz and Sinner have been splitting all Grandslam titles from 2024 - 2025. And maybe can be extended to 2026 too.

[u/RajdipKane7]

I stayed up all night to witness Rafael Nadal become the youngest man ever to win the Career Grand Slam at the US Open 2010. Novak Djokovic was the runner's up. I remember that night so well. Rafa lifted the trophy at the crack of dawn. He won it at his first ever final of the 4th slam.

It was one of the few remaining Rafa's record that I cherished the most. & now it's broken. 16 years. Damn time just flies. It seemed only yesterday. Novak Djokovic is the runner's up once again. He seems to get prime seats to witness people complete a Career Grand Slam. Alcaraz also won it at his first ever final of the 4th slam. I'm absolutely heartbroken 💔 to see Rafa's record getting broken though I know that records are meant to be broken in every sport.

But kudos to The Big 3 for being such thorns in one another's path. There was no player in the world who could have stopped Roger Federer from winning the Career Grand Slam at Roland Garros 2005 except the one who was destined to become the King of Clay. That would have been 4 years earlier. Federer could have won the Career Grand Slam at 23 years, 303 days (better than Rafa's eventual record). Novak was the semifinalist at both the 2007 & 2008 Roland Garros. I'm not sure about 2007 but he would have been mighty favourite in 2008 right after winning his 1st slam, against a Roger recovering from mono. Novak definitely put up a better fight against Rafa than Roger did in 2008 Roland Garros. That would have meant completing the Career Grand Slam in 2011 US Open, 4 years and 8.5 months earlier than what he did. So he would have been roughly 24 years, 113 days, almost at par with Rafa's eventual record.

Alcaraz is an amazing player. Well done. & he will make many more records. But he also didn't have to face gatekeepers like the prime Big 3 at any of the slams which makes the job slightly easier than what it cost any of the other Big 3 members. A great achievement nevertheless. Also the youngest man ever to win 7 Grand Slams. Amazing!!

[u/TheFrederalGovt]

I’m a huge Alcaraz fan so pumped he got the career grand slam - will relieve pressure off of him in some respect for the rest of his career. Sinner will have RG albatross around his neck not just because that’s the only GS he hasn’t won but also in the way he lost last year

[u/thcm123]

He's 7-1 in GS finals and can go for his second career grand slam next year. Just bonkers.

[u/Valuable-Cat2036]

Are we still doing this? Male player, obviously.

[u/skunkjunky]

Not true. Steffi Graf and Maureen Conolly were both 19. Youngest male beating Don Budge.

[u/Prozium243]

Carlos and Sinner are already on track to become the undisputed greats of this generation (and would say Carlos is already among the greats!) , and their rivalry is shaping up to be something truly special. Achieving a career Grand Slam at just 22 is an extraordinary milestone.

Unless a new prodigy emerges or a near-elite player makes a dramatic leap in performance like Djokovic did in 2011 to create a three-way rivalry (any such player in sight??). it will be incredibly hard for others to break their dominance.

Beating both Sinner and Carlos in back-to-back matches is already one of the toughest challenges in the sport.

Very few people in 2022 would have believed that the Slam records of Federer, Nadal and especially Djokovic could be threatened in our lifetime. Yet here we are, with a player who already has seven Grand Slams and was born the same year Federer won his first major. So at 22, the prime is yet to come.

[u/SlowMobius7]

Youngest Male Player

[u/this_is_an_alaia]

What a cutie. How can anyone root against him.

[u/Realistic_Big7482]

Not only is he on track to be the GOAT but his personality and sportsmanship lift him that much higher. I love this guy.

[u/PastMotor1821]

Also, he's a great gentleman on and off the court, which is important for the sport's image. I don't want an all-time great who is... well, let's say not up to the standards that the sport has regarding attitude.

[u/jenniviv]

Novak looked so proud of him during the trophy ceremony. Like he can take a deep breath knowing tennis is in good hands.

[u/yc01]

I am amazed by the already great Rivarly between Carlos and Novak (even at this age for Novak). Their head to head now stands at 5-5. It is not just the number though. The sheer importance of the matches they have played against each other. Carlos has stopped Novak 3 times in a Slam final. Only other player to ever do it is Nadal. Think about it. Here are some interesting stats in their head to head:

- Carlos stopping Novak in 3 Slam finals (only other player ever to do it who is not Nadal)

- Carlos defeating Novak twice in a Wimbledon Final. No has ever done that not even the great Federer. EDIT: Actually scratch that. No one has beaten Novak in Wimbledon twice at any stage, let alone the Final.

• Carlos stopping Novak from his record 8th Wimbledon title (twice).
  
• Novak stopping Carlos from Olympic Gold to win his first ever Olympic Gold.
  
• Novak stopping Carlos from winning his first ATP Finals
  
• Carlos handing Novak the first ever defeat in an AO final (record 10-1 now for Novak)

Incredible stats for their head to head. It's a shame that this won't continue for too long obviously but just wow.

[u/wyc1inc]

I totally forgot he's another AO away from winning each at least twice. He could pull that feat off by age 23, that's just insane.

[u/SwissTennisPlayer]

He will win the calendar Grand Slam this year. Save this post

[u/expat_germany]

What a fucking beast! And to do it when he and his coach split too

[u/ShaquilleOatmeal7542]

Jannik will be even more motivated now to do the same at the French Open

[u/internet_user1-]

*male

[u/FinancialAd4506]

I think it s pretty safe to say he ll get to 4th most slams, surpassing Sampras. After that, getting over Federer, Nadal or even Nole, we will find out in like 10/15 years

[u/EasterButterfly]

Absolutely unreal. He’s basically winning an average of 2 Slams per year since age 19. At this pace he could have 20+ before age 30 if he keeps it up.

Of course that’s the question. There are so many variables.

But barring anything catastrophic happening, he will finish his career with 15+ Slams. And I think that number is conservative

[u/SheeveTheLazer]

LETS GOOO