History at 22: Carlos Alcaraz Completes Career Grand Slam
- Mayline Ruiz
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
Carlos Alcaraz, the 22-year-old Spaniard, has become the youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam on February 1, 2026, following his win at the Australian Open. He becomes the second Spanish man, alongside Rafael Nadal, to complete the Career Grand Slam.
Alcaraz was born on May 5, 2003, in El Palmar, Spain, to Virginia Garfia Escandón and Carlos Alcaraz González (Sr.). He also grew up with an older brother, Alvaro, and two younger brothers, Sergio and Jaime.
At just 16 years old, Alcaraz made his debut with the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) in February 2020 during the Rio Open. He defeated Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the first-round match 7-6(2), 4-6, 7-6(2).
Within one year, Alcaraz obtained his first ATP title following his win against Richard Gasquet at the Plava Laguna Croatia Open. After getting some wins under his belt, such as the Miami Masters, and defeating Tennis stars Nadal and Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz got his first Grand Slam win in New York at the 2022 US Open.
During the US Open, Alcaraz went against one of his biggest competitors, Jannik Sinner, and defeated him in five sets, 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-7(0), 7-5, 6-3. Alcaraz then went on to face Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals and defeated Tiafoe in five sets, 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-3. He was set to face Casper Ruud in the finale, where Alcaraz won 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-3, after four sets. With this win, Alcaraz secured his first Grand Slam win, and it placed him as No.1 in the World.
A year later, Alcaraz obtained his second Grand Slam win in 2023 at Wimbledon. During the quarterfinals, he faced Holger Rune, and Alcaraz defeated Rune in three sets, 7-6(3), 6-4, 6-4, taking Alcaraz to the semis. In the semifinals, Alcaraz faced Daniil Medvedev, where he advanced to the finals after beating Medvedev in three straight sets, 6-3,6-3,6-3. Alcaraz was set to face Djokovic in the finale, and it was a nail-biter to say the least. The 20-year-old, Alcaraz, defeated Djokovic in five sets 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4.
The following year, Alcaraz played at Roland Garros, and it ended up being a memorable tournament for the Spaniard. The quarterfinal matchup was Alcaraz against Stefanos Tsitsipas, where Alcaraz won in three straight sets 6-3, 7-6(3), 6-4. This led to Alcaraz facing Sinner in the semifinal, and the match went to five sets. Ultimately, Alcaraz won 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. After three hours, Alcaraz won his third Grand Slam, securing the Roland Garros title by defeating Alexander Zverev in five sets, 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2.
Alcaraz was just one Grand Slam away from completing the Career Grand Slam, and it just so happened to occur in 2026. As Alcaraz was playing in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, he faced and defeated Alex de Minaur in three straight sets, 7-5, 6-2, 6-1. It was the third time that Alcaraz had made it to the quarterfinals at this tournament; however, it was his first time advancing to the semifinals.
The semifinal was a nail-biter as he faced Zverev and they went for five sets, 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5. The match reached five hours, but it was worth it in the end because it sent Alcaraz to the finals. Alcaraz was set to face Djokovic, and within 3 hours, Alcaraz secured the title for the Australian Open in four sets, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5.
On Feb. 1st, Alcaraz had completed the Career Grand Slam and is the youngest man to do so. Alcaraz currently stands as No.1 in the world with a 287-65 record and 25 titles. He is set to appear in the Qatar Open alongside competitors Djokovic and Sinner, starting on Feb. 16 and ending on Feb. 21.