Alcaraz’s Historic Feat: Joining Nadal & Djokovic Elite Circle

Carlos Alcaraz, the young Spanish tennis sensation, is rapidly establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of professional tennis. With a string of remarkable achievements, he’s drawing comparisons to legends like Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. While the “Big Three” of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic have dominated the sport for over two decades, Alcaraz is making history at an unprecedented pace, achieving milestones that even these greats didn’t reach at such a young age.

A Statistical Marvel at Indian Wells

In March 2025, Alcaraz showcased his dominance at the Indian Wells Masters, securing a record that puts him ahead of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic in their initial appearances at the tournament. Alcaraz boasts an impressive 18-2 record in his first 20 matches at Indian Wells. This is a superior start compared to Nadal’s 17-3 and Djokovic’s 16-4. Only Jimmy Connors (19-1) and Roscoe Tanner (18-2) had similar or better starts, underscoring the Spaniard’s exceptional performance at the event.

Grand Slam History Made Quicker

Alcaraz is making Grand Slam history faster than the legendary “Big Three.” By winning his fourth major title at Wimbledon in 2024, defeating Djokovic in the final, Alcaraz lifted four Slam trophies at the age of 21. Neither Djokovic, Federer, nor Nadal accomplished this feat so young.

Here’s a comparison of when each player won their fourth Grand Slam title:

• Carlos Alcaraz: 2024 Wimbledon (age 21)
• Rafael Nadal: 2008 Roland Garros (age 22)
• Roger Federer: 2004 US Open (age 23)
• Novak Djokovic: 2011 US Open (age 24)

Alcaraz not only achieved this milestone at a younger age, but he also did it in significantly fewer Grand Slam matches. It took him only 69 Slam matches (59-10) to win his fourth trophy. In comparison:

• Federer: 79 matches (61-18)
• Nadal: 81 matches (68-13)
• Djokovic: 134 matches (110-24)

Furthermore, Alcaraz’s winning percentage at the majors at the time of his fourth major triumph (85.5%) is better than Nadal (84%), Djokovic (82.1%), and Federer (77.2%).

Unblemished Record in Grand Slam Finals

Alcaraz has won his first four Grand Slam finals, becoming just the second player in the Open Era to achieve this. The only other player to do so was Roger Federer, who won his first seven major finals.

Youngest to Win on All Three Surfaces

Alcaraz’s victory at the 2024 French Open made him the youngest man to win Grand Slam titles on all three court surfaces: hard, grass, and clay. At 21, he surpassed Rafael Nadal, who completed this set at 22.

Here’s a list of players who have achieved this feat, ordered by age:

1. Carlos Alcaraz (21)
2. Rafael Nadal (22)
3. Mats Wilander (23)
4. Jimmy Connors (26)
5. Roger Federer (27)
6. Novak Djokovic (29)
7. Andre Agassi (29)

Moreover, Alcaraz is the first man to win his first three Grand Slam titles on three different surfaces.

Completing the Career Slam

Alcaraz is on the cusp of another historic achievement: becoming the youngest man to complete a Career Slam (winning all four major titles). The current record holder is Don Budge, who was 22 years and 11 months old when he completed his Career Slam in 1938. Alcaraz, who will be 21 years and eight months old at the 2025 Australian Open, has the opportunity to break this record.

Here’s a list of men who have completed the Career Slam, ordered by age:

1. Don Budge (22 years, 11 months)
2. Rod Laver (24 years, 1 month)
3. Rafael Nadal (24 years, 3 months)
4. Fred Perry (26 years, 0 months)
5. Roy Emerson (27 years, 8 months)
6. Roger Federer (27 years, 9 months)
7. Novak Djokovic (29 years, 0 months)
8. Andre Agassi (29 years, 1 month)

Notably, Alcaraz could also be the first man to complete his Career Slam at the Australian Open.

Matching Nadal, Djokovic, and Wilander

Alcaraz defeated Nuno Borges at the 2025 Australian Open and became the fourth player in the Open Era to win ten Men’s Singles matches in all four Grand Slams before turning 22. The others to achieve this were Mats Wilander, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.

Head-to-Head Record Against Djokovic

As of March 2025, Novak Djokovic holds a 5-3 lead in their head-to-head record against Carlos Alcaraz. However, Alcaraz has a 2-1 lead in Grand Slam matches. Their encounters have been highly competitive, with Alcaraz notably defeating Djokovic in the 2023 Wimbledon final, which was Djokovic’s only Grand Slam loss that year.

A Generational Shift

Carlos Alcaraz’s rapid rise and record-breaking achievements signal a potential generational shift in men’s tennis. His coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, has even predicted that Alcaraz could win 30 Grand Slams. While it remains to be seen whether he will reach such lofty heights, Alcaraz is undoubtedly on a path to greatness, challenging the dominance of the “Big Three” and carving out his own legacy in the sport.