Men’s tennis world number one, Carlos Alcaraz, arrives in Melbourne with only one mission in mind, to claim a first Australian Open title to become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam.
The 22-year-old already owns titles at the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. Victory at Melbourne Park would see him eclipse Don Budge, who wrapped up the career Slam two days before his 23rd birthday by winning the 1938 French Open.
“I would rather win my first Australian Open than retain my French Open and US Open titles next year,” Alcaraz, who turns 23 on May 5, said in November.
A first Melbourne triumph would be the Spaniard’s seventh Grand Slam crown overall, making him the first men’s player to do so before his 23rd birthday.
Yet for all Alcaraz’s global success, Australia has been a curious blank on his resume. His run to the quarter-finals in each of the past two seasons is the furthest he has advanced.
He enjoyed the best season of his career in 2025, winning two Grand Slam titles and reclaiming the world number one ranking, but Melbourne will be the first proper test of his new setup under intense pressure.
Conquering Melbourne would see Alcaraz cross his last frontier in men’s tennis, while setting the stage for a first tilt at the coveted calendar Grand Slam.