LONDON-. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic They failed to accumulate four titles Grand Slam before turning 22, as he has done Carlos Alcaraz.
None of the so-called Big Three were able to triumph at both the French Open and Wimbledon in a single season before turning 22, as the Spaniard just did with a 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4) victory against Djokovic on Sunday in the final at the All England Club for a second consecutive trophy there.
Alcaraz is aware of where his achievements leave him, especially given his young age. However, he wants to do more and achieve elite status.
“Get close to the legends,” Alcaraz said in Spanish on Sunday night. “That’s my goal.”
His 2022 U.S. Open title made him the first teenager to reach No. 1 in the ATP rankings. His French Open championship last month made him the youngest man with Grand Slam titles on hard, grass and clay courts. Sunday’s victory made him just the third man to win Wimbledon multiple times before turning 22, joining Boris Becker and Bjorn Borg and the second in the Open era, which dates to 1968, to start a career 4-0 in Grand Slam finals, joining Federer.
“Well, obviously I’ve seen, and I’ve heard, all the statistics that I’m the youngest to win at Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same year, but I try not to think about that. Obviously it’s a great start to my career, but I have to keep moving forward. I have to keep building my path,” Alcaraz said.
“At the end of my career, I want to sit at the same table as the greats. That is my main goal,” he continued.
But so far, Alcaraz is not satisfied. He spent extra time working on his serve during his fortnight at Wimbledon.
“I have to keep improving everything, I guess,” Alcaraz said.
How far can it go?
It seems rather premature to start discussing whether he can approach the Grand Slam totals of Djokovic (24), Nadal (22) or Federer (20).
“I don’t know what my limit is, I just want to keep enjoying my moment,” Alcaraz said. “So let’s see if, at the end of my career, it’s going to be 25, 30, 15, four. I don’t know.”
Source: AP