Career Timeline of Carlos Alcaraz: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Carlos Alcaraz made an impact.

Carlos Alcaraz Garfia is a Spanish professional tennis player currently ranked world No. 1. He finished as the year-end No. 1 in 2022 and 2025. Alcaraz has won 25 ATP Tour–level singles titles, including seven majors and eight Masters titles. Notably, he is the ninth and youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam in singles.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1963: Youngest US Open Quarterfinalist

At the 2021 US Open, Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest US Open men's quarterfinalist in the Open Era, the youngest at the tournament since Thomaz Koch in 1963.

1973: US Open Record

At the 2021 US Open, Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest man to beat a top 3 ranked-player in singles at the US Open since the ATP rankings began in 1973.

1989: Youngest in US Open Fourth Round

At the 2021 US Open, Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest man in the US Open fourth round since Michael Chang and Pete Sampras in 1989.

1990: Youngest Grand Slam Quarterfinalist

At the 2021 US Open, Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest Grand Slam tournament men's singles quarterfinalist since Michael Chang at the 1990 French Open.

1990: Youngest US Open champion since Pete Sampras

Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest US Open champion since Pete Sampras in 1990. In addition, Alcaraz became the youngest No. 1 in the history of the ATP Rankings at the age of 19 years, 130 days, breaking Lleyton Hewitt's record.

1992: Youngest in Major Fourth Round

At the 2021 US Open, Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest man in a major fourth round since Andrei Medvedev at the 1992 French Open.

1993: Youngest man in Open Era to reach the final of all four majors

In 2026, Alcaraz became the youngest man in the Open Era to reach the final of all four majors, breaking the record set by Jim Courier in 1993. He reached the semifinals of the Australian Open without dropping a set en route.

2002: First Wimbledon title outside of Big Four era

In 2023, Carlos Alcaraz won the Wimbledon title against Novak Djokovic, becoming the only man outside the Big Four to claim the Wimbledon singles title since 2002, before he himself had been born. He claimed his first title on grass in only his third career grass court tournament, beating Alex de Minaur in the final.

2002: First Player Born Before 2002 to Win ATP Tour Match

In February 2020, Carlos Alcaraz achieved the feat of winning an ATP tour match before anyone born in 2002.

2003: First Person Born in 2003 to Win a Match at a Major

In 2021, at the Australian Open, Carlos Alcaraz became the first person born in 2003 to win a match at a major tournament.

2003: First Challenger Match Win

In April 2019, Carlos Alcaraz became the first player born in 2003 to win a Challenger match.

2003: First Player Born in 2003 to Win ATP Tour Match

In February 2020, Carlos Alcaraz became the first player born in 2003 to win an ATP Tour match.

2004: Youngest at Roland Garros since Nadal

Carlos Alcaraz made it to the third round of the 2021 French Open. He was the youngest man to reach the third round at Roland Garros in twenty nine years, and the youngest to do so at any major since Nadal in 2004.

2004: Youngest Match Winner Record

In May 2021, Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest match winner in the history of the Madrid Open, breaking the record set by Rafael Nadal in 2004.

2004: Youngest Winner against World Number 1

In May 2022, Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest player to win a match against a world No. 1 since Nadal in 2004.

April 2005: Youngest to Break into Top 10

In April 2022, Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest man to break into the top 10 since Nadal on 25 April 2005, exactly 17 years earlier.

2005: Youngest major champion since Nadal

Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest men's major champion since Nadal at the 2005 French Open. In addition, Alcaraz became the youngest No. 1 in the history of the ATP Rankings at the age of 19 years, 130 days, breaking Lleyton Hewitt's record.

2005: Youngest Qualifier Since Djokovic

In 2021, Carlos Alcaraz was the youngest man to qualify for the Australian Open tournament since Novak Djokovic in 2005.

2008: ATP Champion

In July 2021, Carlos Alcaraz won the Umag Open, becoming the youngest ATP champion since Kei Nishikori in 2008.

2009: Youngest ATP 500 Winner

In February 2022, Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest winner of an ATP 500 event since the category was created in 2009.

2013: First Contract with Babolat

In 2013, at age 10, Carlos Alcaraz signed his first contract with Babolat.

2015: Rafa Nadal Tour Masters

In 2015, Carlos Alcaraz won the under-12 division of the Rafa Nadal Tour Masters.

2015: Made US Open final without dropping a set since Roger Federer

In 2025, Alcaraz reached the final without dropping a single set at the US Open, the first man to do so since Roger Federer in 2015. He defeated Jannik Sinner in the final to claim his sixth major, regaining the world No. 1 ranking for the first time in two years.

2017: Breakthrough Season at Under-14 Level

In 2017, Carlos Alcaraz had a breakthrough season at the under-14 level, winning the XIV Taça Internacional Maia Jovem and the Babolat Cup. He also helped Spain win the 14-and-under European Summer Cup.

2017: First to win Indian Wells without dropping a set since Federer

In March 2023, Alcaraz regained the world No. 1 ranking after winning the Indian Wells tournament, defeating Daniil Medvedev in the final. He also became the first player to win Indian Wells without dropping a set since Roger Federer in 2017.

February 2018: First Professional Tennis Event

In February 2018, at age 14, Carlos Alcaraz played his first professional tennis event as a qualifier at the Spain F5 ITF Futures in Murcia, reaching the quarterfinals and earning his first ATP points.

September 2018: Training at Ferrero Tennis Academy

In September 2018, Carlos Alcaraz moved to Villena to train at the Ferrero Tennis Academy under Juan Carlos Ferrero, who became his personal coach.

2018: Started tennis career

In 2018, Carlos Alcaraz began his tennis career at age 14.

2018: Dutch Junior Open and European Championship

In July 2018, Carlos Alcaraz won the Dutch Junior Open. Later that year, he captured the European 16-and-under Championship.

March 2019: Won J300 Villena

In March 2019, Carlos Alcaraz won the J300 Villena, defeating Illya Beloborodko 6–4, 6–4 in the final.

April 2019: Challenger Debut in Villena

In April 2019, at the age of 15, Carlos Alcaraz made his Challenger debut at the JC Ferrero Challenger in Villena, winning his first round match against Jannik Sinner, becoming the first player born in 2003 to win a Challenger match.

February 2020: ATP Main-Draw Debut at Rio Open

In February 2020, at the age of 16, Carlos Alcaraz made his ATP main-draw debut at the Rio Open, defeating Albert Ramos Viñolas, becoming the first player born in 2003 to win an ATP Tour match.

September 2020: First Major Qualifying Round

In September 2020, aged 17, Carlos Alcaraz played his first qualifying round at a major tournament at the postponed French Open.

May 2021: Madrid Open and Top 100 Ranking

In May 2021, Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest match winner in Madrid Open history and entered the top 100, rising from 114th to 94th in the rankings on 24 May 2021.

May 2021: Broke into Top 100

In May 2021, Carlos Alcaraz broke into the top 100 of the ATP rankings.

2021: Australian Open Main Draw Debut

In 2021, Carlos Alcaraz made his debut in the main draw of a major tournament as a successful qualifier at the Australian Open.

2021: Cincinnati final against Djokovic

In 2023, Alcaraz lost to Djokovic in the Cincinnati final in three sets, despite having a championship point in the second-set tiebreak. It was the longest ever best-of-three-sets ATP Masters final and the longest match in the tournament's history. Daniil Medvedev was the US Open champion in 2021.

February 2022: First ATP 500 Title

In February 2022, Carlos Alcaraz won his first ATP 500 title by defeating Diego Schwartzman in the final of the Rio Open, becoming the youngest winner of an ATP 500 event since the category was created in 2009. He entered the top 20 in the singles rankings on 21 February 2022.

April 2022: First ATP 1000 Title

In April 2022, Carlos Alcaraz won his first ATP 1000 title at the Miami Open, defeating Casper Ruud. He was the first Spaniard to win the title. At 18 years and 333 days old, he also became the youngest men's singles titlist in Miami Open history, and entered the world top 10 for the first time on 25 April 2022.

May 2022: Madrid Open Champion

In May 2022, Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest champion in Madrid Open's history at 19 years, 3 days. He defeated Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic back-to-back. On 9 May 2022, Alcaraz climbed to a career-high ranking of world No. 6.

2022: Australian Open Loss

Carlos Alcaraz lost a five-set match at the Australian Open in 2022 when he was eighteen years old. He has maintained a remarkable 15-1 record in five-set matches overall.

2022: Did not play Next Gen ATP Finals

Carlos Alcaraz qualified to play the Next Gen ATP Finals again in 2022, but did not play it because he would also qualify for the ATP Finals.

2022: Ended the year as youngest world No. 1 in ATP era

In 2022, Alcaraz ended the year as the youngest and first teenage world No. 1 in the ATP era, and second youngest of all-time behind Hoad. He lost his first singles match as world No. 1 to Félix Auger-Aliassime at the Davis Cup Finals and later retired from the Paris Masters due to an abdominal tear, forcing him to end his season early.

2022: US Open Title and World No. 1

In 2022, Alcaraz won his first major title at the US Open, becoming the youngest man and the first male teenager in the Open Era to reach world No. 1, at 19 years, 4 months and 7 days old, and finished the year as the youngest year-end No. 1 in ATP rankings history.

2022: First title since US Open win

In 2022, Alcaraz won his first title since his US Open win at the Argentina Open. He defeated Cameron Norrie in the final, however he had to withdraw from the Mexican Open due to a leg injury that was aggravated during the Rio Open final.

2022: US Open quarterfinal win

In 2022, Alcaraz won the US Open quarterfinal en route to the title in five sets after saving a match point against Sinner. The pair met three times in 2024, with Alcaraz winning all three matches, including the tightly contested final of the China Open.

2022: Year-end No. 1

In 2022, Carlos Alcaraz finished as the year-end No. 1 in men's singles by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).

2022: Madrid Open Semifinals Victory

In 2022, Carlos Alcaraz met Djokovic for the first time at the Madrid Open semifinals. Alcaraz prevailed in a deciding set tiebreaker, becoming the first and only man to secure back-to-back victories against Nadal and Djokovic on clay.

March 2023: Regained world No. 1 ranking

On March 20, 2023, Alcaraz regained the world No. 1 ranking after winning the Indian Wells tournament, defeating Daniil Medvedev in the final and breaking Medvedev's 19-match winning streak. He also became the first player to win Indian Wells without dropping a set since Roger Federer in 2017.

2023: Did not play Next Gen ATP Finals

Carlos Alcaraz qualified to play the Next Gen ATP Finals again in 2023, but did not play it because he would also qualify for the ATP Finals.

2023: Cincinnati final against Djokovic

2023: French Open Semifinals Match

In 2023, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic met in the semifinals of the French Open. Djokovic won in four sets, with Alcaraz faltering at the start of the third set due to cramps.

2023: Wimbledon Championship

In 2023, Carlos Alcaraz claimed his second major title at the Wimbledon Championships, defeating Novak Djokovic in the final.

2023: Wimbledon and Cincinnati Finals

In 2023, Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final in an epic five-setter. One month later, Djokovic defeated Alcaraz in the Cincinnati Open final after saving a championship point. Later in the year, Djokovic overpowered Alcaraz at the ATP Finals.

2023: Final loss to Sinner since

In 2025, Alcaraz's final loss to Sinner came in Wimbledon. He dropped a set each to Jan-Lennard Struff, Andrey Rublev, and Taylor Fritz, but ultimately was able to reach his sixth consecutive final. This also ended Alcaraz's 24-match win streak, the longest of his career.

2023: Defended Wimbledon title

In July 2024, Alcaraz defended his Wimbledon title by defeating Novak Djokovic. He played the 2024 Cincinnati Open and lost, and in the US Open suffered a second round defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp.

April 2024: Launch of Carlos Alcaraz Garfia Foundation

In April 2024, Carlos Alcaraz launched the Carlos Alcaraz Garfia Foundation to improve the lives of disadvantaged children.

December 12, 2024: Inauguration of Exhibition "Los Pies en la Tierra"

On December 12, 2024, Carlos Alcaraz inaugurated his foundation's exhibition "Los Pies en la Tierra" in Murcia, highlighting the importance of equal opportunities for children.

December 2024: Addition of Samuel Lopez to Coaching Team

In December 2024, Samuel López joined Carlos Alcaraz's coaching team to work under Juan Carlos Ferrero as a second coach.

2024: Longest time on court in major history

Carlos Alcaraz spent 23 hours and 39 minutes on court, the longest time in major history, a record broken by Medvedev at the 2024 Australian Open, 24 hours 17 minutes. In addition, Alcaraz became the youngest No. 1 in the history of the ATP Rankings at the age of 19 years, 130 days, breaking Lleyton Hewitt's record.

2024: Wimbledon and Olympics Finals

During the summer of 2024, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic played twice in high-profile finals. On July 14, Alcaraz defeated Djokovic at Wimbledon, and on August 4, Djokovic defeated Alcaraz in the Olympics final on Court Philippe Chatrier. Tennis.com listed the Olympics final as its ATP match of the year for 2024.

2024: All three matches won against Sinner

2024: First Australian Open quarterfinal

In 2024, Alcaraz began his campaign at the Australian Open, where he reached the quarterfinals for the first time in his career. He lost to Alexander Zverev in four sets. He then retired from the Rio Open two games into his opening match after twisting his right ankle.

2024: China Open win

In 2024, Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner in the final of the China Open, snapping Sinner's 15-match win streak and reclaiming the world No. 2 ranking. With this win, Alcaraz became the first player in ATP Tour history to win an ATP 500 singles title on every surface. He also competed in Davis Cup and Laver Cup.

2024: Channel Slam and Olympic Silver

In 2024, Carlos Alcaraz completed the Channel Slam by winning both the French Open and Wimbledon titles, which he followed with a silver medal at the Paris Olympics.

2024: Advocacy for Player Welfare

In 2024, Carlos Alcaraz spoke out against the length of the tennis calendar, citing the frequency of injuries.

2024: Service and Return Stats

In 2024, Carlos Alcaraz's serve was noted to commonly reach around 115 to 120 mph, with a high of 135 mph, but lacked consistent placement. As a returner, he won nearly a third of his opponents' service games.

2024: Defended Wimbledon title

December 2025: Parting Ways with Ferrero

In December 2025, Carlos Alcaraz announced that he and Juan Carlos Ferrero had parted ways after seven years of coaching.

2025: French Open win against Sinner

In 2025, Alcaraz and Sinner met in three consecutive major finals. Alcaraz won their first major final at the French Open, despite Sinner holding three championship points in the fourth set. The Guardian acclaimed it as "one of the greatest finals ever played, in any sport."

2025: Won first indoor hardcourt title

In 2025, Alcaraz won his first title of the season and first indoor hardcourt title of his career at the Rotterdam Open, defeating Alex de Minaur in the final. He also played the Qatar Open, where he lost in the quarterfinals to Jiří Lehečka. At the Australian Open he was defeated by Novak Djokovic in the quarter finals.

2025: Appointment of Additional Physiotherapist

In 2025, Carlos Alcaraz appointed his childhood friend Fran Rubio as an additional physiotherapist.

2025: Two More Major Titles

In 2025, Carlos Alcaraz claimed his fifth and sixth major titles, defeating Jannik Sinner in the final of the French Open as well as the US Open.

2025: Masters Finals Contests

In 2025, Carlos Alcaraz contested two Masters finals at the Italian Open and the Cincinnati Open, winning both. He also played in the final of the 2025 ATP Finals, where he was defeated by Sinner in straight sets. Their rivalry was described as potentially era-defining.

2025: Year-end No. 1

In 2025, Carlos Alcaraz finished as the year-end No. 1 in men's singles by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).

2025: Australian and US Open Matches

In 2025, Carlos Alcaraz played twice against Novak Djokovic. In the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, Djokovic won. In the semifinals of the US Open, Alcaraz won in straight sets. With this match, Alcaraz and Djokovic completed a set of meetings at each of the four majors. Tickets to the US Open match were the most expensive in US Open history.

2025: Support for Sara Sorribes Tormo and Revenue Sharing

In 2025, Carlos Alcaraz supported Sara Sorribes Tormo's decision to take a break from tennis and signed letters asking major tournaments to distribute more revenue to players.

2026: Brother as Assistant Coach

As of 2026, Carlos Alcaraz's brother Álvaro works as his assistant coach.

2026: Longest Australian Open semifinal

In 2026, Alcaraz reached the semifinals of the Australian Open without dropping a set en route. His semifinal against Alexander Zverev was the longest Australian Open semifinal, at 5 hours and 27 minutes. He later defeated Novak Djokovic to clinch his first Australian Open title.

2026: Australian Open Victory

In 2026, Carlos Alcaraz won the Australian Open final against Novak Djokovic in four sets, ending Djokovic's undefeated record in Australian Open finals and becoming the youngest male player to complete the Career Grand Slam.

2026: Career Grand Slam

In 2026, Carlos Alcaraz won the Australian Open, becoming the youngest man in history to complete the Career Grand Slam, at 22 years, 8 months and 27 days old.