Fresh off his second US Open title and sixth major win, Carlos Alcaraz has declared that his primary objective is to win the Australian Open next year to complete a career Grand Slam. The 22-year-old Spaniard, who defeated rival Jannik Sinner in a four-set final (6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4), would become the youngest man in history to achieve the feat if he claims the title in Melbourne in January.
“It’s my first goal, to be honest,†Alcaraz said after his victory, noting that the Australian Open is always a key focus of his preseason training. “It is always the main goal for me to complete a career Grand Slam, so it’s going to be great.â€
The current record for the youngest male player to win all four majors is held by his compatriot, Rafael Nadal, who did so at the age of 24 in 2010.
Alcaraz’s triumph in New York will also see him reclaim the world number one ranking from Sinner, marking his return to the top spot for the first time since September 2023. “When you achieve the goals you set up yourself at the beginning of the year, it feels amazing,†he said.
The victory over Sinner avenged his loss to the Italian in the Wimbledon final and highlighted the dominance of their budding rivalry. Between them, Alcaraz and Sinner have swept the last eight majors, with Novak Djokovic winning the only other three of the last 13.
Despite the recent success, Alcaraz’s coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, emphasized the need for continued hard work. “The potential to win many titles, many Grand Slams, is there, but we take nothing for granted,†Ferrero stated. “Nothing is automatic; you have to make it happen… He’s 22 years old; we can’t think he’s perfect, far from it. He has a lot of things to improve on.â€
