Carlos Alcaraz made tennis history by completing the Career Grand Slam with his Australian Open victory.
Alcaraz equalled a Bjorn Borg record by defeating Novak Djokovic in four sets to win his first Grand Slam in Melbourne.
The Spaniard bounced back from his high-profile split with Juan Carlos Ferrero by starting the season in perfect fashion.
Much was made of Alcaraz’s split with his former coach, and the Spaniard has now confirmed how it feels to win without his former advisor.
Carlos Alcaraz hits back at doubters after winning the Australian Open
Alcaraz was asked if he had extra motivation to perform well in Melbourne due to his split with Ferrero in December.
The star replied: “Well, not really, to be honest. So I didn’t think about those people that had doubts about it. I came here just playing for myself, playing for my team.
Can Carlos Alcaraz win MORE Grand Slams than Novak Djokovic? 🤔
“We all know how hard I worked, you know, in the preseason to be ready for this tournament, and I had too many things to think about, you know, during this tournament.”
However, Alcaraz was well aware of the doubters over the past few months in the lead-up to the Australian Open.
“Just focus on my game style, focus on myself, being passionate, and that’s all I thought about during this tournament. But, you know, once I get it, I am just happy to prove all the people were wrong,” said the Spaniard.
Alcaraz is yet to lose since his split with Ferrero, having beaten Jannik Sinner in an exhibition in South Korea and produced a perfect run in Melbourne.
The Spaniard is now on an eight-match unbeaten streak in 2026 ahead of his next appearance at the Rotterdam Open.
The five players Carlos Alcaraz has joined after achieving the Career Grand Slam
Alcaraz’s Career Grand Slam has not been achieved for a decade since Djokovic won Roland Garros in 2026.
Djokovic was the last of the ‘big three’ to achieve the feat, following Nadal’s victory at the 2010 US Open and Federer’s win at Roland Garros in 2009.
- Rod Laver – 1969 US Open – age 31
- Andre Agassi – 1999 Roland Garros – age 29
- Roger Federer – 2009 Roland Garros – age 27
- Rafael Nadal – 2010 US Open – age 24
- Novak Djokovic – 2016 Roland Garros – age 29
- Carlos Alcaraz – 2026 Australian Open – age 22
Outside of the ‘big three’, only Andre Agassi and Rod Laver have managed to win all four of the Grand Slams in their career.
Alcaraz, however, is the only player to achieve the feat under the age of 23. The Spaniard was two years younger than Nadal, who previously held the record.
Alcaraz’s latest record is so astonishing that it’s hard to see any other star toppling the Spaniard for the record.
