Australian Open 2026 | Vamos Carlos! The true heir apparent to Rafael Nadal

It was quite befitting that Rafael Nadal was inside Rod Laver Arena when Carlos Alcaraz achieved the career Grand Slam.

With Rafael Nadal watching from the stands, Carlos Alcaraz created history by becoming the youngest ATP player to complete the career Grand Slam in the Open Era on Sunday (February 1).

It was quite befitting that Nadal was inside Rod Laver Arena to watch the 22-year-old achieve the Melbourne marvel.

It was a case of the king passing on the baton to the heir apparent.

“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.

“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.

With his maiden Australian Open triumph, the Spaniard is now a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, moving him level with John McEnroe and Mats Wilander on the all-time list.

The Spaniard's 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 victory over 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the final continued the stranglehold that he and his great rival Jannik Sinner have had on the Majors in recent years.

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.

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.

For good measure, he achieved it on back-to-back days on his way to the title.

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.

He was also the youngest man to ascend to the world No.1 ranking.

His Roland Garros coronation in 2024 ensured Alcaraz was the youngest to win Grand Slam titles on clay, grass and hard courts.

And with his Melbourne milestone, Alcaraz has truly carved his name among those greats of the game.

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.

Vamos Carlos!