By Richard Pagliaro Sunday, February 1, 2026
Image source: Australian Open Facebook
Carlos Alcaraz Hit the historic goal and win the Happy Slam.
Now, the world’s No. 1 will aim for a big, iconic mark: joining Rockets Rod Laver As the second man in the history of the Open to complete the Grand Slam in all years.
An hour after Alcaraz defeated the Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic While he won his first AO championship with 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 and became the youngest man in history to complete a career Grand Slam, he faced doubts about whether he could win the Grand Slam in previous years.
The reigning Australian Open, French Open and US Open champion said chasing the calendar Grand Slam was a major challenge but one that also excites him.
“Well, it’s going to be a big challenge. Those are big words, honestly,” Alcaraz said. “you
I know, I just want it one at a time. Now the next one is the French Open. That game left me with great memories. I feel special every time I go there.
“So I don’t want to put myself in a very stressful situation, but you know, it’s going to be great. Now I’m going to try to prepare, work hard, you know, recover and train well to have a good match at the next Grand Slam.”
The 22-year-old Spanish superstar will seek to become the first player to win every Grand Slam since the legendary Laver in 1969.
Alcaraz faced controversy in pre-season before arriving in Australia.
The man who won eight titles last season split from his former coach, former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero, just weeks after Ferrero won ATP Coach of the Year honors for the second time in four years.
Looking back, Alcaraz, who only reached the AO quarter-finals this month, said the “difficult” controversy had deepened his desire to win his first Melbourne Grand Slam.
“Well it’s a different pre-season for me so I have to come back from an unusual situation
It was difficult for me,” Alcaraz said. “A lot of people were talking about everything and doubting my level in this game.
“So, you know, every year when I come to Australia, I’m thinking about getting the trophy. It’s not going to happen. It’s not going to go further than the quarterfinals. You know, to come here this year hungry for more, ambitious to get the trophy and mentally strong enough not to hear anything from people. And then, to play some great tennis in this tournament means a lot, means the world to me, and it’s a dream come true for me.”
When Alcaraz was hobbled by leg cramps and most needed to fight for a set on one leg, coach Samuel Lopez and his team showed clinical drive but still beat Alexander Zverev in the semifinals to earn an epic victory that lasted five hours and 27 minutes.
Alcaraz won his 20th Grand Slam title today and his seventh Grand Slam title.
After his historic rise in Melbourne, Alcaraz said he was looking forward to a good rest. But first, there’s more work to do: Alcaraz plans to get a kangaroo tattoo to commemorate the Melbourne Grand Slam.
“I said it was going to be a kangaroo, of course, a wallaby,” Alcaraz said. “I don’t know where
It will. Definitely on the legs.
“I don’t know left and right. So I have to pick a good spot, but definitely close to Roland Garros or Wimbledon. I just have to choose.”
