Carlos Alcaraz vs Tennis Legends: Where He Ranks at 22

‘Playing Perfectly’ – Where Does Carlos Alcaraz Rank Among Tennis Legends at Age 22?

Carlos Alcaraz delivered a career-best performance to defeat Jannik Sinner and win his sixth Grand Slam title at the 2025 US Open. The 22-year-old Spaniard’s dominance—particularly his 6-2 3-6 6-1 6-4 win over the world number one—has sparked comparisons with the greatest legends in men’s tennis history.

But where does Alcaraz truly stand against the likes of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Borg, and Sampras at the same age?

Unmatched Versatility on All Surfaces

Alcaraz has now won two Grand Slams each on clay, grass, and hard courts—a feat only achieved by:

• Rafael Nadal (aged 24)

• Mats Wilander (24)

• Novak Djokovic (34)

This rare all-surface mastery at just 22 years old is a historic milestone and sets Alcaraz apart early in his career.

2025 US Open: Serving a Statement

Alcaraz’s win makes him the new world number one and leads his head-to-head record against Jannik Sinner 10-5

Alcaraz turned his serve into a lethal weapon:

• Average serve speed increased from 113mph to 120mph

• Hit 10 aces in the final

• Won 84% of first-serve points

• Faced only 10 break points all tournament – lowest ever since 1991

• Fastest serve: 134mph, highest of the final

This transformation helped him drop just one set en route to the title, a sign of growing maturity and confidence.

Mental Edge and Tactical Growth

Alcaraz has always dazzled with his court craft and creativity, but now he’s adding:

• Consistency over full tournaments

• Power-based dominance (groundstrokes exceeding 100mph)

• Improved shot selection under pressure

Even Sinner, one of the tour’s toughest hard-court players, admitted he would need to revamp his game to catch up.

Alcaraz remains prone to short spells of erratic play—like in the second set against Sinner—but these are becoming increasingly rare.

Already a Record Setter

• Youngest man to win 6 Slams across all surfaces

• Tied Nadal’s Slam record for players 22 or younger in a single year

• Second-fastest player to reach 6 Slams (after Bjorn Borg)

• Second-best Grand Slam win % at this age (after Borg)

What’s Next for the Future GOAT?

Alcaraz says, “The best Carlos hasn’t come out yet.”

With potential improvements in:

• Rally control under fatigue

• Return game on grass

• More variation in high-pressure points

…he may just be getting started.

Final Verdict: Among the Greatest Already?

At 22, Alcaraz is outpacing Federer, Djokovic, and even Nadal in some respects. If his trajectory holds, he could surpass the Grand Slam count of any player in history.

The only question now: Is he the greatest already—or just destined to be?