Alcaraz Conquers Australian Open... Youngest Career Grand Slam Surpassing Idol Nadal

A Historic Feat at 22 Years and 272 Days
Defeating Djokovic to Rewrite Tennis History

Carlos Alcaraz claimed victory at the Australian Open, which concluded on February 1, breaking the record for the youngest male tennis player to achieve a career Grand Slam-a record previously held by his compatriot and idol, Rafael Nadal.

In the men's singles final of the Australian Open held in Melbourne, Australia, Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic 3-1 (2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5) after a fiercely contested match lasting 3 hours and 2 minutes. With this win, Alcaraz has now conquered the US Open in 2022, Wimbledon in 2023, the French Open in 2024, and the Australian Open, achieving a career Grand Slam at the age of 22 years and 272 days. This surpasses Nadal's previous record, set in 2010 at 24 years and 3 months, by approximately 1 year and 6 months. Born in May 2003, Alcaraz received a prize of 4.15 million Australian dollars (approximately 4.05 billion won) for this victory.

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain kisses the trophy after securing victory against Novak Djokovic in the men's singles final at the Australian Open tennis tournament held in Melbourne, Australia, on the 1st.
Photo by Xinhua News Agency

Having solidified his status as the new "Emperor of Tennis," Alcaraz continues to rewrite the history of men's tennis by breaking records one after another. Since the start of the Open Era in 1968, he has become the sixth male player to achieve a career Grand Slam in singles. The previous players to accomplish this feat are Rod Laver (Australia), Andre Agassi (United States), Roger Federer (Switzerland), Rafael Nadal (Spain), and Novak Djokovic.

When Alcaraz won his first major title at the US Open in September 2022, he was only 19 years and 4 months old. With that victory, he became the first male player to reach world No. 1 in singles before turning 20 since the introduction of the ATP world rankings in 1973.

Nadal's previous record was the youngest career Grand Slam in the Open Era (since 1968), but if the scope is expanded to before 1968, he was not the youngest. The youngest record prior to 1968 was set by Don Budge (United States) in 1938 at 22 years and 363 days. With this latest victory, Alcaraz has surpassed even that mark, setting a new milestone as the youngest player ever-across all eras-to achieve a career Grand Slam.

This latest triumph brings Alcaraz's total number of major titles to seven. He has won the US Open, French Open, and Wimbledon twice each. Until now, his best result at the Australian Open was reaching the quarterfinals, but he has finally claimed the title.

Looking ahead, Alcaraz is expected to challenge Novak Djokovic's record of 24 men's major singles titles.

After his defeat in the final, Djokovic congratulated Alcaraz, saying, "The most fitting words to describe what you have accomplished are 'historic' and 'legendary.'" Alcaraz, in turn, expressed his respect, saying, "You have inspired not only tennis players but athletes all around the world. I grew up watching your matches, and it is an honor to stand on the same court with you."