Whilst Novak Djokovic’s quest for a 25th Grand Slam title remains the most captivating goal in tennis right now, Carlos Alcaraz made some history of his own by beating him in the final earlier today.
After all, by overcoming the Serbian, he became the youngest man in tennis history to ever complete the career Grand Slam, with Rafael Nadal, the previous record-holder, in attendance.
It cements his status as arguably the greatest youngster of all time, and offers him the perfect platform to enjoy a hugely successful career laden with silverware.
However, one question he was asked after this latest win stumped him. A reporter wanted to know whether he now considered himself a legend.
Carlos Alcaraz reacts after making history at the Australian Open
This is a tricky position to be in as a player. After all, he is undeniably already a tennis legend.
With seven Grand Slam titles, Carlos Alcaraz sits alongside other notable names like John McEnroe and Mats Wilander. These are some of the sport’s most iconic figures.
Not to mention that he has already surpassed the likes of Boris Becker, Andy Murray and Stefan Edberg, all done at the age of 22.
Can Carlos Alcaraz win MORE Grand Slams than Novak Djokovic? 🤔
If he were to retire tomorrow, he’d still have had an all-time career. And yet, his humility prompted him to reply: “A legend isn’t forged in three or four years of a career.
“With what I’ve achieved, many people might categorise me as such… but this has to be accomplished over a long time. Keeping the hunger and the excitement. I’d like to be called that in many years’ time, that my career has been legendary.”
Speaking at his press conference, Djokovic pinpointed the shot that broke down and, he felt, ultimately lost him the match.
Carlos Alcaraz can break another record at the 2027 Australian Open
Whilst it might be a little presumptuous, there is already another opportunity to create further history for Alcaraz when he returns to Melbourne this time next year.
After all, having already won Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open twice, were he to defend his Australian Open crown in 2027, he would have successfully completed a double career Grand Slam at the age of just 23.
Should Djokovic retire whatever happens in the Australian Open final and go out in a blaze of glory?
For context, it took Novak Djokovic until he was 34 to accomplish this, and Nadal until he was 25. Roger Federer never managed it in his entire career.
Alcaraz has already shattered every other record in his path during his short but supremely successful career thus far.
Why not this one too?
