Carlos Alcaraz makes bold claim about winning Australian Open with Career Grand Slam achievement looming

Carlos Alcaraz has backed himself to win the Australian Open "sooner or later." He stands to become the youngest man to achieve a Career Grand Slam if he wins in Melbourne next year. The Spaniard has won four Grand Slam titles so far in his career, two of them coming in 2024.

Alcaraz put up his best performance at the 2024 Australian Open as he reached the quarterfinals of the tournament for the first time. He was eliminated after losing to sixth seed Alexander Zverev in four sets.

The 21-year-old enjoyed an incredible season afterward, winning the French Open and the Wimbledon before securing a silver medal at the Paris Olympics. He concluded his season at the Davis Cup Finals, bidding farewell to childhood icon Rafael Nadal, and after spending last week and a half on vacation, the World No.3 is geared up to complete the Career Grand Slam.

Speaking with reporters in New York ahead of his World Tennis League exhibition matches, Alcaraz made a bold statement about the Australian Open. Alcaraz said (via efe.com),

"I'm sure I'll be the Australian champion sooner or later. Let's hope it happens this year" [translated from Spanish].

The Spanish tennis ace further added that it was important for him to achieve the Career Grand Slam.

"For me it is very important to complete the remaining ('big') ones."

If Alcaraz manages to win the upcoming Australian Open, he will become the youngest male player to achieve the Career Grand Slam. That record is currently held by Rafael Nadal who achieved the feat at 24 years and 102 days. Earlier last season, Alcaraz overtook the 22-time Grand Slam champion as the youngest male player to achieve a Surface Slam, winning Grand Slams on hardcourt, grass, and clay.

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Carlos Alcaraz expands coaching team, looks to "grow as a tennis player"

Davis Cup Final - Carlos Alcaraz with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero (Source: Getty)

Carlos Alcaraz has been coached by Juan Carlos Ferrero, a 2003 French Open champion since he was 16 years old. While the duo have achieved incredible results over the year, the Spaniard recently added Samuel Lopez to his coaching team.

Lopez, who coached Pablo Carreno Busta for nine years, brings a wealth of experience to the table and Alcaraz believes his addition to the team will only make him a better player. Alcaraz said (via APNews),

“I think Samuel, for me, is one of the best coaches that we have on tour. They trust each other 100 percent and being able to travel with both, for me, it’s going to be great. I think I’m going to grow as a player thanks to them. I think we are going to work pretty hard and pretty good for the next season and the next years. Hopefully we are going to make good results together."

The 21-year-old will start his season at the 2025 Australian Open and won't play any warm-up tournaments before the first Major of the year. He did the same last year before later achieving his best result at the tournament.