February 1, 2026 - the day tennis history was made by Carlos Alcaraz as the 22-year-old became the youngest male player to complete a career Grand Slam.
Seeing off , Alcaraz added the Melbourne title to his six previous Grand Slams won at the US Open (2022, 2025), Wimbledon (2023, 2024) and French Open (2024, 2025).
In doing so, Alcaraz eclipsed Don Budge as the youngest to win all four - the American who wrapped up his at the 1938 French Open two days before his 23rd birthday. Alcaraz doesn't turn 23 until May.
It took the Spaniard 12 major campaigns since his first Grand Slam triumph in New York in 2022 to complete the full haul, obliterating the previous Open Era record of 20 held by Rafa Nadal.
To put Alcaraz's achievements to this point into context, at the age of 22 Djokovic could count just a solitary Grand Slam title, winning the 2008 Australian Open at 21 but not another Grand Slam until 2011. The great Federer only won three Grand Slams before the age of 23.
Alcaraz's fellow Spaniard Nadal, who emerged onto the tennis scene as a phenom, squeezed in six Grand Slam titles by the age of 23 - but four of them were at the same event at Roland Garros. In Australia, Alcaraz broke new ground with a seventh.
By any standard, Alcaraz's career titles at his age - winning two Grand Slams each at the US Open, French Open and Wimbledon on three different surfaces, plus completing the set on hard court in Melbourne - exceeds the early achievements of any male tennis player in the history of the sport.
We may well be witnessing the greatest player of all time. And that's before even mentioning his supreme talent and wide-ranging shot repertoire.
Explosive forehand winners, delicate drop shots, breath-taking volleys, powerful backhand winners, a service game improved beyond recognition, and defensive capabilities to marvel at: Alcaraz can do it all.
Not since September 2023 has a Grand Slam been won by someone other than Alcaraz or rival Jannik Sinner - a tally that now stands at nine in a row in a show of utter dominance across the landscape of the men's tour.
That day in New York, Djokovic won his 24th Grand Slam by defeating Daniil Medvedev in straight sets, cementing his place as the leading major men's singles winner in the history of the sport.
The Serb has failed to add to his record in over two years since, however, as Alcaraz and Sinner have taken over.
In 2024, Sinner and Alcaraz split the Grand Slams two apiece: the Italian claiming the Australian Open and US Open titles, the Spaniard the Wimbledon and French Open crowns (dispatching Djokovic in straight sets in the final at SW19).
In 2025, the same two players split the four titles again: Alcaraz winning the French Open and US Open, Sinner the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
With Djokovic knocking Sinner out in an epic five-set semi-final in Australia, the last time Alcaraz met Sinner at a major he dispatched of him in the US Open final 6-2 3-6 6-1 6-4 in a quite mesmeric performance.
Sinner sits on four Grand Slam titles at 24, two years Alcaraz's senior.
Could Alcaraz vs Sinner turn into the greatest tennis rivalry ever? Sinner, who had been bested by Alcaraz consistently in his career, turned the tables at Wimbledon last year to comprehensively beat his rival in the final. Alcaraz's response? To thrash Sinner on the Italian's favourite playing surface (hard court) in the US Open final. Stunning.
Novak Djokovic on court following defeat:
"Congratulations Carlos, an amazing tournament and an amazing couple of weeks. What you've been doing, the best word to describe it is 'historic'.
"It's legendary, and I wish you the best of luck for the rest of your career.
"You are young like me and I'm sure we'll be seeing each other many times over the next 10 years…NOT!
"I had a winning speech prepared and a losing speech. But I want to keep it short, this is Carlos' moment."
Carlos Alcaraz on court following victory:
"Nobody knows how hard I've worked to get this trophy.
"I chased this moment so much. I appreciate it was a rollercoaster emotionally, and my team and I went through stuff but did the right work. This trophy is yours as well.
"I can't wait to come back here next year."
Six-time Grand Slam semi-finalist Tim Henman speaking on TNT Sports:
"It's absolutely phenomenal when you take into consideration so many of the greats of the game, from different generations, and how long it took them to win all four majors. He's done it at the age of 22.
"Reflect back to 2022 and his first Slam in New York and he's gone from strength to strength, proving he can play on each and every surface.
"But add to that the way he's gone about it. His personality, his charisma on and off the court.
"How we were hoping and willing for the next generation to come through after Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, and the way Alcaraz has delivered on the biggest stage to take his seventh Grand Slam and first at the Australian Open, is truly remarkable."
More from Henman on TNT Sports:
"He's a performer isn't he? He's out on stage and he wants to show off his skillset, and he has so many different types of skills.
"Whether it's his power and explosiveness from the back of the court, the way he can hit that drop shot, he can finish points to the net with volleys, and then his athletic ability.
"Add to that his winning these big titles. It's fitting Rafa Nadal was in the crowd.
"Now, in the men's game with Alcaraz and Sinner leading the charge, it's exciting times."
Britain's Jamie Murray on TNT Sports:
"Alcaraz is sitting down at the change of ends and smiling over to his box. He's smiling after the rallies. That's why people love him.
"They love the fact this guy is competing for history. In reality, he's in incredibly stressful and difficult moments, but he's out there enjoying it, thriving in it.
"That's why the fans love him. He's carrying the sport right now."
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