<p>With <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/rafael-nadal">Rafael Nadal</a> watching from the stands, <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/carlos-alcaraz">Carlos Alcaraz </a>created history by becoming the youngest ATP player to complete the career Grand Slam in the Open Era on Sunday (February 1). </p><p>It was quite befitting that Nadal was inside Rod Laver Arena to watch the 22-year-old achieve the Melbourne marvel.</p><p>It was a case of the king passing on the baton to the heir apparent.</p>.Australian Open 2026 | Carlos Alcaraz completes career Grand Slam with maiden Melbourne crown .<p>“For me it’s a little bit weird seeing Rafa in the stands. I think it’s the first time he has watched me play professionally, if I’m not wrong,” Alcaraz told the host broadcaster after his historic triumph. </p><p>“I know you watched me when I was 14 or 15 years old, so it’s been a long time. It’s such an honour playing in front of you. We had great battles on the court… Now seeing you watch my match, it’s just a privilege," added Alcaraz while reasserting his class at the undisputed world No.1 in men's tennis. </p><p>With his maiden <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/australian-open">Australian Open</a> triumph, the Spaniard is now a seven-time <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/grand-slam">Grand Slam</a> singles champion, moving him level with John McEnroe and Mats Wilander on the all-time list. </p><p>The Spaniard's 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 victory over 24-time Grand Slam champion <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/novak-djokovic">Novak Djokovic</a> in the final continued the stranglehold that he and his great rival Jannik Sinner have had on the Majors in recent years.</p><p>For the records, the pair have won the past nine Grand Slam titles between them, dating back to Djokovic’s triumph at the 2023 US Open.</p><p>The modest, muscular star from the small town of El Palmar in Spain's south-east hit the giant-killing jackpot at Madrid in 2022 when he became the only man to defeat both Nadal and Djokovic at the same clay-court event.</p><p>For good measure, he achieved it on back-to-back days on his way to the title.</p><p>When he won his maiden Slam, at the US Open the same year, he became the youngest champion of a men's major since Nadal at the 2005 French Open.</p><p>He was also the youngest man to ascend to the world No.1 ranking.</p><p>His Roland Garros coronation in 2024 ensured Alcaraz was the youngest to win Grand Slam titles on clay, grass and hard courts.</p><p>And with his Melbourne milestone, Alcaraz has truly carved his name among those greats of the game. </p><p>Nadal was 24 when he achieved career Grand Slam. By doing it two years younger, Alcaraz has showed that he is ready to inherit the crown from his compatriot. </p><p>Vamos Carlos!</p>
<p>With <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/rafael-nadal">Rafael Nadal</a> watching from the stands, <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/carlos-alcaraz">Carlos Alcaraz </a>created history by becoming the youngest ATP player to complete the career Grand Slam in the Open Era on Sunday (February 1). </p><p>It was quite befitting that Nadal was inside Rod Laver Arena to watch the 22-year-old achieve the Melbourne marvel.</p><p>It was a case of the king passing on the baton to the heir apparent.</p>.Australian Open 2026 | Carlos Alcaraz completes career Grand Slam with maiden Melbourne crown .<p>“For me it’s a little bit weird seeing Rafa in the stands. I think it’s the first time he has watched me play professionally, if I’m not wrong,” Alcaraz told the host broadcaster after his historic triumph. </p><p>“I know you watched me when I was 14 or 15 years old, so it’s been a long time. It’s such an honour playing in front of you. We had great battles on the court… Now seeing you watch my match, it’s just a privilege," added Alcaraz while reasserting his class at the undisputed world No.1 in men's tennis. </p><p>With his maiden <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/australian-open">Australian Open</a> triumph, the Spaniard is now a seven-time <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/grand-slam">Grand Slam</a> singles champion, moving him level with John McEnroe and Mats Wilander on the all-time list. </p><p>The Spaniard's 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 victory over 24-time Grand Slam champion <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/novak-djokovic">Novak Djokovic</a> in the final continued the stranglehold that he and his great rival Jannik Sinner have had on the Majors in recent years.</p><p>For the records, the pair have won the past nine Grand Slam titles between them, dating back to Djokovic’s triumph at the 2023 US Open.</p><p>The modest, muscular star from the small town of El Palmar in Spain's south-east hit the giant-killing jackpot at Madrid in 2022 when he became the only man to defeat both Nadal and Djokovic at the same clay-court event.</p><p>For good measure, he achieved it on back-to-back days on his way to the title.</p><p>When he won his maiden Slam, at the US Open the same year, he became the youngest champion of a men's major since Nadal at the 2005 French Open.</p><p>He was also the youngest man to ascend to the world No.1 ranking.</p><p>His Roland Garros coronation in 2024 ensured Alcaraz was the youngest to win Grand Slam titles on clay, grass and hard courts.</p><p>And with his Melbourne milestone, Alcaraz has truly carved his name among those greats of the game. </p><p>Nadal was 24 when he achieved career Grand Slam. By doing it two years younger, Alcaraz has showed that he is ready to inherit the crown from his compatriot. </p><p>Vamos Carlos!</p>