Carlos Alcaraz’s meteoric rise is no longer a story of potential, but has become a reality with historic numbers and victories.
Alcaraz faces the biggest challenge of his career
Since winning the 2023 Wimbledon championship when defeating Novak Djokovic, the young Spaniard has affirmed his position as one of the typical faces of tennis.
In the 2024 season, he will at least appear in the quarterfinals of all Grand Slam tournaments, winning two titles and ending the year in the ATP top 3. By mid-2025, Alcaraz has added more ATP championships, bringing his total to more than 15 titles before turning 22.
The statistics on the court surface further highlight his diversity: a win rate of more than 70% on both clay and hard courts, along with impressive achievements on grass courts despite his lack of experience.
Achieving the Calendar Slam – winning all four Grand Slam titles in the same season – is a near-impossible feat, achieved only by Rod Laver in the Open Era in men’s singles, albeit on just two types of court.
Alcaraz is notable for his competitive record, which includes all the rare elements needed to accomplish this feat. He is comfortable playing on all surfaces: on clay, his balanced and powerful movements are reminiscent of Rafael Nadal; on grass, his creative improvisation is reminiscent of Roger Federer; and on hard courts, his attacking style mixed with tenacious defense is reminiscent of Novak Djokovic. Rarely has a young player shown such comprehensive adaptation so early.
Not only is he technically excellent, Alcaraz also possesses a strong physical foundation, capable of overcoming experienced opponents in long matches. His acceleration, flexible defense and quick recovery help him adapt to a tight schedule – essential factors on his journey to conquer history.
Mentally, Alcaraz shows maturity beyond his years, always playing well under pressure when facing legends like Djokovic and knowing how to handle the burden of expectations. To conquer the Calendar Slam, character and mental toughness are key, as fatigue or a momentary lapse in concentration can derail an entire campaign.
In addition, his all-round creativity – from daring drop shots to decisive net plays – helps him avoid a rut and create an advantage in each of the seven-round Grand Slam matches.
However, the journey to the Calendar Slam is brutally tough. Injuries, a heavy schedule and increasingly fierce competition make this goal difficult to achieve.
Djokovic is a prime example: his failed attempts in 2021 and 2022 showed that even the greatest can succumb to exhaustion, especially in the 2021 US Open final, when he was just one step away from equalling Laver’s feat.
For Alcaraz, fitness management is paramount. He has had a few minor injuries related to muscle and wrist strains. At the same time, his opponents – especially Jannik Sinner – have become a formidable obstacle, regularly winning direct confrontations and reminding Alcaraz that he is not invincible. In addition, the pressure of being the number one star in tennis is also a big psychological challenge.
Nevertheless, Alcaraz still has the appearance of a player born to write history. Abundant energy, natural charisma and a spirit of constant improvement are the qualities that make a legend. If he can avoid long-term injuries and continue to hone his tactical patience, the chance of the “stars aligning” with him is completely possible.
In fact, Alcaraz has a record that surpasses the greats of his age. His 78% win rate before he turned 22 has surpassed Nadal, Federer and Djokovic at the same stage.
His creativity, bravery and ability to adapt quickly set him apart from his generation, while his fearlessness on the big stage means he thrives under pressure rather than being held back.
The Calendar Slam is tennis’s ultimate prize. For decades, the sport has been waiting for someone to crack that challenge. And who knows, the answer may lie in the hands of Spanish prodigy Carlos Alcaraz.
