Aksel Kryhlmand
His latest triumph might be his most legendary.
Carlos Alcaraz may now be a five-time Grand Slam champion, but his ascent has never felt rushed, only inevitable. From the clay courts of Murcia to the brightest stages in Paris, London, and New York, the 22-year-old has engineered a career arc that feels both cinematic and historic.
Here are the seven defining milestones that shaped his journey from a Spanish prodigy to the face of modern men’s tennis.
1. Rio 2020 (Age 16)
Before the headlines, before the hype, there was Rio. At just 16 years old, Alcaraz stunned veteran Albert Ramos-Viñolas in a gripping three-set battle at the Rio Open. It wasn’t just his first ATP win, it was a shot across the bow from a teenager who clearly didn’t fear the spotlight.
It was also the beginning of his reputation for fearlessness in tight moments, a signature that would later define his biggest victories.
2. US Open 2021
Alcaraz’s first deep Slam run came at Flushing Meadows, where he became the youngest men’s US Open quarterfinalist in the Open Era at 18 years old. His third-round upset of Stefanos Tsitsipas, then world No. 3, stunned the tennis world and marked the moment casual fans took serious notice.
What followed was exhaustion, he retired mid-match in the quarterfinals, but the message was clear. This kid wasn’t just hype. He was already a contender.
3. US Open 2022
Twelve months later, he returned to New York and finished the job. Alcaraz battled through three consecutive five-setters to reach the final, then beat Casper Ruud to win his first Grand Slam title and become the youngest-ever world No. 1 in ATP history at 19 years and 4 months.
It was a coronation. A reward for the grind. And proof that his generation had found its leader.
4. Wimbledon 2023
No win has aged better than this one.
In the Wimbledon final, Alcaraz ended Novak Djokovic’s 10-year unbeaten streak on Centre Court, coming back from a shaky first set, to win in five. It was a passing-of-the-torch moment, not in symbolism, but in skill. Alcaraz outdueled the greatest grass-court player of the modern era on the sport’s most sacred stage.
It was also a tactical masterpiece, blending aggression, touch, and mental steel in ways only the Big 3 had consistently done before.
5. Roland Garros 2024
With Nadal sidelined and Djokovic out of sorts, the 2024 French Open was billed as wide open. Alcaraz made sure it wasn’t. He beat Zverev in the final to claim his first title in Paris, silencing doubters who said he hadn’t yet matched Nadal’s clay-court pedigree.
It was more than a Slam, it was a cultural shift. The King of Clay had a spiritual successor.
6. Wimbledon & Roland Garros (2025)
Many greats win. Only a few repeat. Alcaraz did both. In 2024 and 2025, he successfully defended both his Wimbledon and Roland Garros titles, joining legends like Federer and Nadal as multi-Slam repeat champions.
In doing so, he proved that he wasn’t just built for one glorious run, he was built to reign.
7. 2025 Roland Garros Final
His latest triumph might be his most legendary.
In the 2025 Roland Garros final, Alcaraz faced world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, fell two sets behind, and saved three match points to win in 5 hours and 29 minutes, the longest final in tournament history.
It was his first comeback from two sets down. His fifth major title. And perhaps the first true “Alcaraz Classic” that will echo through tennis lore for decades.
The Legacy is still unfolding
From a teenage wildcard in Rio to a five-time Slam winner by 22, Carlos Alcaraz has lived a dozen tennis lives in half a decade. And yet, the most thrilling part of his story is that we’re still only in chapter one.
With rivals like Sinner, Rune, and Nakashima rising, and Wimbledon around the corner, there’s no telling how many more milestones lie ahead, but if history is any guide, he’ll arrive early.