Ex-ATP Pro Explains Why GOAT Debate Around Carlos Alcaraz After Australian Open Win is ‘Ridiculous’
Carlos Alcaraz downed Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final to become the youngest man in the Open Era to win seven Majors.
Follow Us
Carlos Alcaraz (image via Instagram/Carlos Alcaraz)
🔍 Explore this post with:
Carlos Alcaraz is now the winner of seven Grand Slam titles. After defeating Novak Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open, Alcaraz broke two major records.
He surpassed Rafael Nadal to become the youngest man in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam. The 22-year-old is also the youngest man in the Open Era to win seven Majors, surpassing Bjorn Borg, who did this at the age of 23.
Alcaraz, who now holds a 5-5 head-to-head record over Djokovic, should not be a part of the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) Debate, believes former World No.4 Greg Rusedski. He said Alcaraz had not yet reached the 20 Grand Slam titles tally, which only three players have reached: Federer, Nadal, and Roger Federer.
In my opinion, it’s ridiculous. He has won seven Grand Slams; he’s on the path but still needs to work to reach 20 or more. Djokovic has 24, Nadal 22, and Federer 20. There’s a very big gap. He would need to win all the Grand Slams this year to reach 10.
Greg Rusedski said on his Off Court with Greg podcast
Djokovic, after winning his first Major in 2008, had to wait for three years to add another Major to his trophy cabinet. If Alcaraz wins two Grand Slam titles per year, including one more this season, he will reach Djokovic’s title tally at the age of 31.
And even if he reaches 10 Grand Slams this year, it would still take him two and a half years to win them all and reach 20. So, it’s a bit premature to put him in the GOAT debate now. You have to define yourself by something. The numbers, longevity, the era you played in… Look at Novak’s history. That’s why I consider him the greatest of all time.
Greg Rusedski added
At the Australian Open, Alcaraz had never reached the semifinals before this year, losing twice in the quarterfinals stage. Before denying Djokovic his 25th Major, Alcaraz knocked out Alexander Zverev in what was also the longest semifinal in the history of the Melbourne Slam.
Yevgeny Kafelnikov doesn’t think Carlos Alcaraz can win a Calendar Grand Slam
Carlos Alcaraz played his fourth consecutive Grand Slam final at the Australian Open. Last year, he defeated Jannik Sinner at the French Open and the US Open, and lost at Wimbledon, and therefore, couldn’t complete the three-peat.
Now that he has accomplished the Career Grand Slam feat, can he also complete the Calendar Grand Slam? Yevgeny Kafelnikov doesn’t think so because he is convinced Sinner won’t let it happen.
No, he won’t win four tournaments. Sinner won’t allow it.
Yevgeny Kafelnikov said on the Hard Court podcast
Last year, the 24-year-old made the finals of every Grand Slam event, winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and losing the other two to the Spaniard. But this time in the Grand Slam Down Under, the Italian lost to Djokovic in the semifinals.
Alcaraz and Sinner met in a Grand Slam final for the first time at Roland Garros last year. They won the last nine Majors, with Djokovic being the last player other than them to taste victory (2023 US Open). Since defeating Daniil Medvedev in New York, Djokovic has made just two Grand Slam finals: in 2024 Wimbledon and this year’s Australian Open.
Next Major is the French Open, and Alcaraz will be bidding to complete the three-peat. In 2024, he defeated Alexander Zverev, while last year, he overcame a two-set deficit and saved three match points to beat Sinner in the longest French Open final. If Sinner wins the clay-court Major, he will complete the Career Grand Slam.
Also read: Former World No.1 Believes Alexander Zverev Missed an “Opportunity” at the 2026 Australian Open
/techfirstnow/media/agency_attachments/kATjCXskQdJKkXN0OuqW.png)