When Carlos Alcaraz claimed his sixth Grand Slam title on Sunday, it wasn’t just another victory – it was a masterclass. The Spaniard dismantled world No.1 Jannik Sinner in what many are calling the best performance of his career so far.
Sinner, the defending US Open champion and one of the most dominant players on hard courts in recent years, looked rattled and subdued during the 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 defeat. Afterward, he admitted he would need to rethink his entire game to match Alcaraz’s level.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, was glowing with confidence.
“I played perfectly,” he said. “This is the best tournament I’ve ever played. My consistency has been really high – it’s something I’ve been working on.”
And at just 22 years old, people are already asking: where does he stand among the sport’s legends?
Building an All-Surface Legacy
Since bursting onto the ATP Tour as a teenager, Alcaraz has been praised for his variety – slicing low, blasting forehands, and pulling off deft drop shots with equal ease. But what sets him apart is how well he has stitched those skills together on every surface.
Alcaraz has already won two majors each on hard, grass, and clay – a feat that only Rafael Nadal, Mats Wilander, and Novak Djokovic have managed, and none as young as him.
Historic Pace of Success
The numbers are staggering. Alcaraz has won six Grand Slams in just 18 tournaments, matching Bjorn Borg’s record from 1978. Borg is the only man to have won six majors at a younger age.
At 22, Nadal also had six. Pete Sampras had five. Wilander four. Federer had just three, and Djokovic only one.
If Alcaraz maintains his current pace – two majors a year – he would equal Djokovic’s record of 24 by 2034, when he will still only be 31.
A Serving Breakthrough
Alcaraz’s serve, once considered solid but not dominant, has become a weapon. At the US Open he averaged 120mph on his first serve – up from 113mph earlier in the tournament – and unleashed a 134mph rocket in the final.
His serving stats were unmatched:
84% of first-serve points won
63% on second serve
Just three breaks across the entire event
In fact, the 10 break points he faced in the tournament are the lowest for any Grand Slam champion in the Open Era.
Still Room to Grow
Despite describing his performance as “perfect,” Alcaraz insists he hasn’t peaked.
“At 22, it’s difficult to be at your maximum. Little by little, I’ll keep improving. The best Carlos hasn’t come out yet.”
That’s a terrifying thought for the rest of the tour. He still suffers the occasional lapse – like the 11 unforced errors in the set he lost to Sinner – but if he cuts those spells out, his ruthlessness will only grow.
And if his serve can jump levels so quickly, who’s to say other parts of his already dazzling game won’t as well? His 100mph groundstrokes in rallies hint at even scarier firepower to come.
Among the Greats Already
Whether or not Alcaraz goes on to surpass Nadal, Federer, or Djokovic, he has already earned his place alongside them in the conversation. At 22, he’s not just a prodigy anymore – he’s a dominant force shaping the future of the sport.
For fans, the only question now is how far he can go. If this is just the beginning, the journey could end with Alcaraz being celebrated as the greatest ever.
