History at no. 1 Club: Alcaraz Seeks Grand Slam at Australian Open
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The Spaniard could become the sixth man of the Open Era to achieve the milestone
January 16, 2026
Carlos Alcaraz arrives at the 2026 Australian Open with something more than the trophy on his mind.
The world No. 1 will compete with the opportunity to complete the Grand Slam and join another exclusive list. If he triumphs in Melbourne, Alcaraz will become the sixth man of the Open Era – and the fifth member of the ATP No.1 Club – to win all four majors at least once.
Alcaraz would follow in the footsteps of Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Rod Laver won all four majors in a single season in 1969, but the PIF ATP Rankings were not established until 1973. Since then, only four men have completed the grand Slam, writing unique pages in tennis history.
Andre Agassi
After coming within a step in the 1990 and 1991 Roland Garros finals,Agassi completed the Grand slam objective on clay eight years later in 1999. The American came back from two sets down against
Rafael Nadal’s Career Grand Slam Titles
Rafael Nadal, a Spanish professional tennis player, has won 22 Grand slam singles titles as of January 16, 2026, making him the most triumphant male player in Grand Slam history. He achieved a career Grand Slam – winning all four major tournaments at least once – in 2010 and has continued to dominate across all court surfaces.
First Career Grand Slam (2010)
A Career grand Slam signifies a player’s all-court prowess, demonstrating success on clay, grass, and hard courts.Nadal completed his first Career Grand Slam on September 12,2010,by winning the 2010 US Open, defeating Novak Djokovic in the final. This victory added the US open title to his already impressive collection of French Open,Wimbledon,and Australian Open championships.
- French Open: 14 titles (2005-2020, 2022, 2024) – Roland Garros Official Site
- Wimbledon: 2 titles (2008,2010) – Wimbledon Official Site
- Australian Open: 2 titles (2009, 2022) – Australian Open Official site
- US Open: 4 titles (2010, 2013, 2017, 2019) – US Open Official Site
Nadal’s Dominance and Subsequent Grand Slam Titles
Nadal’s success isn’t limited to achieving the Career Grand Slam once; he has repeatedly proven his ability to win across all surfaces. He continued to add to his Grand Slam tally after 2010, showcasing remarkable longevity and adaptability. His 2022 australian Open victory was especially notable, as he overcame injury and adversity to claim his second Australian Open title and his 21st Grand Slam surpassing Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic at the time.
In January 2024, Nadal secured his 14th French Open title, further solidifying his record on clay. ESPN reported on this historic win, highlighting his unparalleled dominance at Roland Garros.
Total Grand Slam Titles
As of January 16, 2026, Rafael Nadal holds the record for the most Grand Slam men’s singles titles with 22. This surpasses Roger Federer (20) and Novak Djokovic (24). The breakdown of his titles is as follows:
- French Open: 14
- Australian Open: 2
- Wimbledon: 2
- US Open: 4
nadal’s consistent performance and ability to win on diverse court surfaces have cemented his legacy as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. His achievements are regularly documented by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), which provides detailed statistics and career highlights.
