"1st MALE player, Serena Williams did it BEFORE him": Fans dispute Carlos Alcaraz being called first player to win 1st 3 Slams on 3 different surfaces

Carlos Alcaraz's 2024 French Open title triumph saw him become the first men's tennis player to win his first three Majors on three different surfaces. Serena Williams though, achieved the feat way before. Despite this truth, Alcaraz is widely, but incorrectly, being lauded for becoming the first-ever player to do it.

Alcaraz's maiden Grand Slam title came at the 2022 US Open following his 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-3 win over Casper Ruud. The US Open is one of two hardcourt Majors in tennis. The Spaniard's next Slam success came at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships after a 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 victory against Novak Djokovic. The Wimbledon Championships is tennis' only remaining grasscourt Major.

In the final of the 2024 edition of the claycourt French Open, the Spaniard prevailed over Alexander Zverev, winning 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2. Following Alcaraz's latest Major win, the X (formerly Twitter) handle of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) shared a post celebrating the Spaniard's success. It was captioned:

"Clay, grass, hard court, Carlos Alcaraz is the FIRST player to win his first three Grand Slams on all three surfaces!"

However, fans were quick to point out the error in Alcaraz being called the "first player" to win the first three Grand Slams of his career on three different surfaces. They unanimously, and correctly, said that the now-retired Serena Williams did it well before the Spaniard.

Williams' first three Majors came at the 1999 US Open, the 2002 French Open, and the 2002 Wimbledon championships. Williams would go on to win a staggering 20 more throughout her illustrious career. One set of fans wrote that it would be correct to call Alcaraz the first 'male' player to have achieved the feat.

"1st MALE player cuz Ms Serena Williams did it BEFORE him," wrote one fan.

"Serena did it first, so, he's the first MALE player," another fan commented.

"Love Carlos. He's great and will be greater. But the GOAT Serena Williams won US Open, French Open, Wimbledon as her 1st three," another fan chimed in.

Another set of fans jokingly ridiculed the post.

"Serena would like a word please," one fan wrote.

"What are you talking about.. reword that!" another fan commented.

"Say what now?" asked one fan.

Serena Williams talked about her best surface after 2013 Miami Open final win over Maria Sharapova

Serena Williams at a press conference

In the final of the 2013 Miami Open (known as the Sony Open at the time), Williams stormed back from a set down against Maria Sharapova to win the prestigious hardcourt title (4-6, 6-3, 6-0).

During her post-match press conference, Williams was asked her most preferred surface for facing her greatest rivals. In her response, she said that she did not care much for the surface as long as she had "a racquet and a ball" in her hands.

"Anywhere. It could be ice, grass, clay. It could be.. I don't care. Just give me a racquet and a ball. I'm ready," Williams said.

However, in April 2015, ahead of the United States' Fed Cup clash against Italy, Williams proclaimed that she was most comfortable playing on clay.

"Actually clay is my favourite surface. I just so feel so relaxed and I don’t feel I have to rush. Sometimes you have extra time to get balls," Williams said.