Carlos Alcaraz could now be setting his sights on another goal after winning the Australian Open.
Alcaraz came from behind to beat Novak Djokovic to win the Australian Open for the first time in his career.
This enabled him to become the youngest man to complete the Career Slam, overtaking Rafael Nadal, who was watching Alcaraz and Djokovic inside Rod Laver Arena.
As Alcaraz continues to make tennis history at just 22 years old, he has now been asked if he is targeting winning all four Grand Slams in the same year.
Carlos Alcaraz says if he is now targeting the Calendar Slam
The Calendar Slam is one of the rarest feats to achieve in tennis history, and only Rod Laver has won all four majors in one year since the Open Era in men’s singles.
Djokovic has come the closest to achieving this since then, having won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon in 2021, before he was beaten by Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final.
Now after winning the Australian Open for the first time, Alcaraz has the opportunity to make tennis history this year.
When asked if the Calendar Slam is something he is targeting in 2026, Alcaraz played it down as he does not want to put himself under too much pressure.
“Well, it’s going to be a big challenge,” Alcaraz responded in his post-match press conference. “Those are big words, to be honest. You know, I just want it to be one at a time. Right now next one is French Open. I have great memories in that tournament. I feel really special every time that I go there.
“So I don’t want to put myself in a really pressure position to have to do it, but you know, it’s going to be great. Right now I will try to be ready, to work hard, you know, to just recover and practice well to play a good tournament in the next Grand Slam.”
Who finishes their career on more majors – Alcaraz or Djokovic?
Carlos Alcaraz explains why winning the Australian Open is different to his other major victories
Alcaraz has now won seven Grand Slam singles titles, which puts him alongside the likes of John McEnroe and Mats Wilander already at such a young age.
In another question in his press conference, Alcaraz was asked about how this Grand Slam compares to his six other major victories.
Alcaraz split from long-term coach Juan Carlos Ferrero just a month before the Australian Open, and while he did not specifically name him, the world number one alluded to the challenges he faced after this situation unfolded.
The Murcian also spoke about the pressure he had put himself under to complete the Career Grand Slam, having never previously surpassed the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.
“Well, it was a different preseason for me, so I just had to came back from unusual situation for me, which was difficult,” said Alcaraz. “A lot of people were talking about everything and having doubts about, you know, my level in this tournament.
“So, you know, every year that I came here to Australia I was thinking about getting the trophy. Couldn’t happen. Couldn’t go farther than quarterfinals. You know, coming this year, hungry for more, ambitious for getting the trophy, and being strong mentally enough, not hearing anything or any words from the people. And then just playing a good tennis in this tournament means a lot, means the world to me, and it is a dream come true for me.”
Are you more or less confident that Novak Djokovic can win his 25th Grand Slam now?
Alcaraz has now cemented his position as the world number one over Jannik Sinner, who lost to Djokovic in the Australian Open semifinals.
The Australian Open champion is now scheduled to have a week off before competing as the defending champion at the Rotterdam Open.
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