Carlos Alcaraz has set his sights on completing the career Grand Slam at next year’s Australian Open after capturing his sixth major title at the US Open on Sunday night.
The Spaniard overcame rival Jannik Sinner 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to claim his second crown in New York, further cementing their burgeoning rivalry.
Victory also restored him to world No 1 the following day, marking his return to the top for the first time since September 2023.
For Alcaraz, though, Melbourne now looms largest.
Carlos Alcaraz has already set his sights on a first Australian Open title following his victory over Jannik Sinner at the US Open on Sunday
|GETTY
The 22-year-old has never progressed beyond the quarter-finals in four attempts at the Australian Open but believes the tournament represents his biggest opportunity to etch his name further into history.
“It’s my first goal, to be honest,” Alcaraz said. “When I just go to the pre-seasons, what I want to improve, what I want to achieve, Australian Open is there.
"It’s the first or second tournament of the year, and it is always the main goal for me to complete a career Grand Slam, calendar Grand Slam. So it’s going to be great.”
Should he succeed in Melbourne, Alcaraz would become the youngest man ever to achieve the career Grand Slam, surpassing compatriot Rafael Nadal, who reached the milestone aged 24 in 2010.
JUST IN: Laura Robson risks backlash from US Open chiefs after Donald Trump comments during final clash
Nadal went on to finish with 22 majors, including four US Open titles, setting the standard for Spanish tennis.
“Obviously, I’m going to try to do it next year,” Alcaraz added.
“But if it is not next year, hopefully, in two and three and four. So I will try to complete it.”
The US Open showcased Alcaraz at his relentless best. He dropped just one set during the fortnight and avenged his Wimbledon defeat to Sinner with a commanding performance in the final.
**SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY GB NEWS SPORTS NEWSLETTER HERE**
King Carlos 👑
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 7, 2025
The Spaniard defeats Sinner in four sets to claim his second US Open trophy! pic.twitter.com/C2jBm7F178
The win was his sixth in their seven head-to-head meetings, underlining his growing dominance in the rivalry.
“When you achieve the goals you set for yourself at the beginning of the year, it feels amazing,” Alcaraz said after lifting the trophy.
“Since I got the chance to recover the No 1, it was one of the first goals that I had during the season - just to try to recover the No 1 as soon as possible or end the year as the No 1.
"For me, to achieve that once again, it is a dream. Doing it the same day as getting another Grand Slam feels even better.”
His coach Juan Carlos Ferrero praised the display.
“The performance today was perfect,” he said.
But while acknowledging his protégé’s potential, Ferrero urged caution.
“The potential to win many titles, many Grand Slams, is there, but we take nothing for granted," he added. "Nothing is automatic; you have to make it happen. He’s 22 years old; we can’t think he’s perfect, far from it. He has a lot of things to improve on.”
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Carlos Alcaraz dropped just one set at this year's US Open
|REUTERS
Alcaraz and Sinner have now split the last three Grand Slam finals of 2025, with the Spaniard winning in Paris and New York and the Italian triumphing at Wimbledon.
Who ends up triumphing in Melbourne in the New Year remains to be seen.