Carlos Alcaraz is on the verge of making more history at the US Open as he bids to achieve something that has eluded Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
The 21-year-old has already soared to dizzying heights in the sport.
In 2022, after winning his maiden grand slam at the 2022 US Open, he became the youngest man ever to reach world number one in the ATP rankings.
The Spaniard has since gone on to win back-to-back Wimbledon crowns in a blossoming career that has led many to view him as the ‘future’ of men’s tennis.
Alcaraz fell short in the final of the Olympics this year, but he could still finish the season among elite company if he is successful at Flushing Meadows.
What could Carlos Alcaraz achieve at the US Open?
In 2010, Rafael Nadal became the second man in the Open Era to win the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open in the same calendar year.
Despite their accolades and records, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have been unable to achieve this feat throughout their respective careers.
However, at just 21 years of age, Carlos Alcaraz is in prime position to do so next month after winning at Roland Garros and SW19 earlier this summer.
“That is pretty impressive for a guy who is barely old enough to drink in this country,” Jon Wertheim told Tennis Channel.
“Keep in mind that neither Federer nor Djokovic have won the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open in the same year. Nadal did it in 2010.
“Carlos Alcaraz, we talk about him as this emerging player but, if he wins the US Open, he will be in some very fast company.”
Is Alcaraz the favourite for the US Open?
Alcaraz suffered heartbreak in the Cincinnati final last year but will be eager to fine-tune his game on the hard courts before he heads to New York.
He will stand in strong contention to lift the US Open title, but there are plenty who will be keen to burst his bubble.
At 37, Djokovic is still as dangerous as ever and is hungry for a hair-raising 25th grand slam crown to add to his collection.
Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev are far off their respective potentials, but the latter was responsible for ousting Alcaraz in last year’s semi-final.
Either way, the young Spaniard can triumph, but he must dial in quickly as his rivals are ready to pounce.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
