Carlos Alcaraz has been a shining light on the ATP Tour this year, winning two Grand Slam titles and securing the year-end world number one spot.
The year has been defined by his battles with Jannik Sinner, with the most significant being the French Open final.
Ultimately, the Spaniard outshone Sinner this year, winning eight ATP Tour titles – including the French Open and US Open.
The 23-year-old regained the world number one spot from Sinner after defeating the Italian in the US Open final. He later secured his second year-end world number one trophy, after first achieving the feat in 2022.
Alcaraz will hope to continue dominating the sport in 2026, starting at the Australian Open, where he could complete the career Grand Slam.
Carlos Alcaraz has been the world number one for 50 weeks
This week marks Carlos Alcaraz’s 50th as the world number one.
Carlos Alcaraz WILL complete the Career Grand Slam before Jannik Sinner – discuss…
The Spanish superstar first joined the ATP number one club on September 12, 2022 after winning his first Grand Slam title at the US Open.
He held this position until January 20, 2023. Between that date and September 11, 2023, Alcaraz spent a further 16 weeks in the world number one spot.
Alcaraz was absent from the world number one position for almost two years, ending the drought on September 8 this year after winning the US Open.
The Spaniard had already surpassed Andy Murray’s total. Murray, a winner of three Grand Slam titles and two Olympic gold medals, was the world number one for 41 weeks during his career.
Alcaraz has also previously eclipsed Gustavo Kuerten, a three-time French Open champion. Kuerten was world number one for 43 weeks.
Who could Alcaraz next surpass?
Alcaraz could surpass another tennis legend by the end of February. Jim Courier, a four-time major winner, held the world number one spot for 58 weeks during his career.
However, Alcaraz may have a more significant target in mind. Jannik Sinner, the Spaniard’s greatest rival on the ATP Tour, has held the world number one spot for 66 weeks.
Surpassing Sinner is a realistic goal for Alcaraz. In fact, the Spaniard could increase his stranglehold on the top spot at the 2026 Australian Open.
What do you think about Carlos Alcaraz’s decision to play in exhibition events?
After losing in the quarter-finals in 2024, Alcaraz would gain 1,200 extra points if he wins the 2026 event.
Sinner will also lose ATP points if he fails to repeat his 2024 title win in Melbourne.
