Former world No. 1 Yevgeny Kafelnikov has expressed skepticism over Carlos Alcaraz’s potential to complete the Calendar Grand Slam despite his recent Australian Open victory. The 22-year-old Spaniard secured his first Australian Open title last Sunday by defeating Novak Djokovic in four sets, making him the youngest man in the Open Era to achieve a Career Grand Slam.
Alcaraz’s triumph in Melbourne brought his total Grand Slam singles titles to seven, tying him with tennis legends John McEnroe and Mats Wilander. With the reigning world No. 1 not turning 23 until May, expectations remain high for further major success during his career. Still, some voices doubt he can win all four Slams within a single year.
Key Rivalries and Titles in Recent Grand Slam Seasons
Following Alcaraz’s accomplishment of victories at all four Grand Slam tournaments, speculation has grown about whether he will capture every Grand Slam title in 2026. A significant challenge to this possibility comes from world No. 2 Jannik Sinner, who has been Alcaraz’s closest competitor over the past seasons.
Together, Alcaraz and Sinner have dominated men’s singles, sharing the last nine Grand Slam titles, including two each during 2024 and 2025. Last year, Sinner won the Australian Open, but Alcaraz responded by defeating Sinner in a gripping five-set final at the French Open. Wimbledon then saw Sinner triumph over Alcaraz in the final on Centre Court, though Alcaraz avenged that loss by besting Sinner in the US Open final.
Sinner reached the final stage of all four Grand Slam tournaments in 2025. Despite his semi-final exit at the Australian Open this year, Kafelnikov contends that the Italian star will prevent Alcaraz from securing the Calendar Grand Slam.
No, he [Alcaraz] won’t win four tournaments, Sinner won’t allow it.
?Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Former World No. 1
When asked where Alcaraz might falter among the Grand Slam events next year, Kafelnikov highlighted the US Open as the likely hurdle.
I think he will win Roland Garros, but not the US Open.
?Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Former World No. 1
The Rarity of Achieving a Calendar Grand Slam
Securing the Calendar Grand Slam, which means winning all four major tennis titles in a single year, remains one of the sport’s most challenging feats, even more difficult than completing the Career Grand Slam over a player’s entire career.
In the Open Era, only three players have managed this achievement. Rod Laver remains the sole male to complete it, doing so in 1969. On the women’s side, Margaret Court achieved the Calendar Grand Slam in 1970, while Steffi Graf accomplished it in 1988, the latter year also seeing her claim Olympic gold.
The closest attempt in recent memory was Novak Djokovic’s 2021 season, when he won the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon titles before falling short in the US Open final.
Upcoming Challenges and Future Prospects for Carlos Alcaraz
As Carlos Alcaraz continues to establish himself among the all-time top players, the contest with Jannik Sinner remains a defining storyline. Their rivalry has shaped recent Grand Slam outcomes and is likely to influence who will dominate men’s tennis in the coming years. Although Alcaraz’s talent and achievements position him well for additional major titles, experts like Kafelnikov believe the Calendar Grand Slam remains an exceptionally steep challenge.
With both players in their early twenties and already collecting multiple Grand Slam trophies, fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see how this competition unfolds—particularly at events like Roland Garros and the US Open, where Alcaraz’s defenses may be tested the most strongly.
