Carlos Alcaraz completed the ‘Career Grand Slam’ on Sunday after defeating Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final.
The Spaniard became the first player to defeat Djokovic in the Melbourne showpiece, cementing his place as the best player on the planet.
Alcaraz looked to be in trouble after losing the first set 2-6, but promptly responded by winning the next three sets 6-2, 6-3, 7-5.
Alcaraz’s achievement is even more remarkable when considering his tumultuous pre-season; during which he split from long-time coach Juan Carlos Ferrero.
After defeating Djokovic on Sunday, the Spaniard hit back at those who had doubted him, telling tennis fans he would reveal them ‘the truth’ about his immediate thoughts after the contest.
Can Carlos Alcaraz win MORE Grand Slams than Novak Djokovic? 🤔
Carlos Alcaraz hits back at those who said he ‘wasn’t going to make it’
In an interview with Eurosport Spain, Alcaraz was asked what he would remember from this year’s Australian Open.
In an emphatic response, Alcaraz revealed the ‘one thing’ that came to his mind after securing the title in Melbourne.
“I will tell you the truth,” Alcaraz began. “Now I remember the people who said I wasn’t going to make it, honestly, that I was not going to make it, who thought I was coming here to Australia I was not going beyond the quarter finals.
“That I was going to come here and not play good tennis. Those who did not believe in me.
“I remember those people if I’m being honest. It seems ironic when in theory I must remember my people, and my team, remember all we have worked on. But in the end, that mentality… I don’t know, that’s the one that came to my mind.
“And yet I did not come here to tell anyone that I am capable of making it. I just came here with great enthusiasm and with a great desire to demonstrate to me that I am able to solve the problems to be mentally strong, to come with the illusion of having done a good job, and that’s what I should be left with.
“But if you ask me, that’s the first thing that comes to mind.”
Any who doubted Alcaraz’s Australian Open credentials have been quietened. Alcaraz has won three of the last five Grand Slam titles and is most definitely the best player on the planet.
At 22 years old, the Spaniard already has seven Grand Slam titles to his name; the same number won by John McEnroe and Mats Wilander.
Could Carlos Alcaraz complete the Golden Slam?
Not since Rod Laver in 1969 has a male player won all four Grand Slams in a calendar year.
Novak Djokovic came close in 2021, winning the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon before losing in the US Open final to Daniil Medvedev.
What do you make of Carlos Alcaraz’s decision to part ways with Juan Carlos Ferrero?
After securing his first Australian Open title, Alcaraz can head into the remaining 2026 majors full of confidence having won the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open twice each.
However, Jannik Sinner remains the biggest threat to Alcaraz’s chances of completing the ‘Golden Slam’, and the Italian has extra motivation heading into the next Grand Slam event.
Sinner has the opportunity to complete his own Career Grand Slam at the French Open, and the Italian will hope to avenge his heartbreaking loss to Alcaraz in the 2025 French Open final; a final during which he squandered three championship points.
