Carlos Alcaraz will only have one chance to become the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam in tennis history.
The Spanish phenom – already with six major titles on his resume – takes on Novak Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open final.
Victory for the current world no.1 will see him shatter a record from American legend Don Budge that has stood for 88 years.
Can Alcaraz snare his first chance at tennis immortality?
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Youngest career Grand Slams record: Alcaraz vying to break Budge landmark
Budge was 22 years, 363 days old when he won the French Open – completing the set of all four major titles in his career.
When the Australian Open 2026 final commences, Alcaraz will be 22 years, 272 days old – meaning it’s his only chance to snare the Melbourne Park title before he is older than Budge for next year’s edition.
Alcaraz has already won the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open – twice each.
Incredibly, Budge won a calendar Grand Slam at 23 years, 3 months old – becoming the first man to achieve the honour and remains only the second in history alongside Rod Laver to do it,
Alcaraz cannot beat Budge’s record as the youngest calendar Grand Slam winner as he would be 23 years, 4 months old when the US Open 2026 final is on.
List of men’s youngest career Grand Slam winners (all time)
| Rank | Player | Age at Completion | Final Major Won | Year |
| Carlos Alcaraz | 22 years, 272 days | Australian Open | 2026 (Potential) | |
| 1 | Don Budge | 22 years, 363 days | French Championships | 1938 |
| 2 | Rod Laver | 24 years, 32 days | US Championships | 1962 |
| 3 | Rafael Nadal | 24 years, 101 days | US Open | 2010 |
| 4 | Fred Perry | 26 years, 15 days | French Championships | 1935 |
| 5 | Roy Emerson | 27 years, 243 days | Wimbledon | 1964 |
| 6 | Roger Federer | 27 years, 303 days | French Open | 2009 |
| 7 | Novak Djokovic | 29 years, 14 days | French Open | 2016 |
| 8 | Andre Agassi | 29 years, 38 days | French Open | 1999 |
Youngest career Grand Slam in the Open Era: Alcaraz aiming to knock off Rafael Nadal
The ‘Open Era’ is when both professional and amateur tennis players were allowed to compete together in major tournaments from 1968 to the current day.
With tennis being considered a professional sport from 1968 onwards, some analysts like to consider records in the sport during this period.
Taking this stipulation into account, Rafael Nadal is the youngest man to win a career Grand Slam at 24 years, 101 days old when he won the US Open in 2010.
Victory for Alcaraz in the Australian Open 2026 final – at 22 years, 272 days old – will also eclipse Nadal’s mark comfortably.
In fact, Alcaraz will also get a chance at Australian Open 2027 to get there quicker than Nadal.
List of men’s youngest career Grand Slam winners (Open Era – 1968 onwards)
| Rank | Player | Age at Completion | Final Major Won | Year |
| Carlos Alcaraz | 22 years, 272 days | Australian Open | 2026 (Potential) | |
| 1 | Rafael Nadal | 24 years, 101 days | US Open | 2010 |
| 2 | Roger Federer | 27 years, 303 days | French Open | 2009 |
| 3 | Novak Djokovic | 29 years, 14 days | French Open | 2016 |
| 4 | Andre Agassi | 29 years, 38 days | French Open | 1999 |
| 5 | Rod Laver | 31 years, 32 days | US Championships | 1969 |
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