By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, February 1, 2026
Photo credit: Australian Open Facebook
Carlos Alcaraz hit a historic target capturing the Happy Slam.
Now, the world No. 1 will take aim at an iconic major mark: joining Rocket Rod Laver as the second man in Open Era history to complete a calendar Grand Slam.
An hour after Alcaraz defeated Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 to capture his first AO championship and make history as the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam, he faced questions about winning the calendar Grand Slam.
The reigning Australian Open, Roland Garros and US Open champion said chasing the calendar Grand Slam is a major challenge, but one that excites him.
“Well, it’s going to be a big challenge. Those are big words, to be honest,” Alcaraz said. “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.”
The 22-year-old Spanish superstar will bid to become the first man since legendary Laver in 1969 to capture the calendar Slam.
Alcaraz confronted pre-season controversy before arriving in Australia.
The man, who won eight titles last season, split with ex-coach and former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero just weeks after Ferrero earned ATP Coach of the Year honors for the second time in the last four years.
In retrospect, Alcaraz, who had failed to surpass the AO quarterfinals until this month, said the “difficult” controversy deepened his desire to win his maiden Melbourne major.
“Well, it was a different preseason for me, so I just had to came back from unusual situation
for me, which was difficult,” Alcaraz said. “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.”
Coach Samuel Lopez and his team delivered calm motivation when Alcaraz, hobbled by leg cramps, needed it most competing for a set on one leg yet still surviving to out-duel Alexander Zverev in a five hour, 27-minute epic semifinal win.
Contesting his 20th major, Alcaraz captured his seventh Grand Slam crown today.
Follow his historic Melbourne rise, Alcaraz said he’s looking forward to a well-earned rest. But first, there’s more work to be done: Alcaraz plans to get a Kangaroo tattoo to commemorate this Melbourne major run.
“I’ve said it’s going to be a kangaroo, for sure, a little kangaroo,” Alcaraz said. “I don’t know where
it’s going to be. It’s going to be in the leg, for sure.
“I don’t know the right, the left one. So I got to choose a good spot, but it’s going to be for sure close to the French Open or Wimbledon. I just have to choose.”
