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'Playing perfectly' - how does Alcaraz rank v men's tennis legends at 22?lotericos loteria federalImage source, BBC SportImage caption, Carlos Alcaraz might only be 22, but he is already producing results that put him alongside some of the biggest stars tennis has ever knownByDaniel AustinBBC Sport senior journalistPublished8 September 2025696 CommentsWhen Carlos Alcaraz won his sixth Grand Slam title on Sunday, he did so by thoroughly outclassing the world's number one player in probably the best performance of his career so far.Defending US Open champion Jannik Sinner - whose record on hard courts over the past two seasons is among the most imperious of any player on any surface in tennis history - was induced into a timid display in which he was overawed by the Spaniard.The quality of Alcaraz's performance in his 6-2 3-6 6-1 6-4 victory led to something of an existential crisis in Sinner, who insisted afterwards that he needs to revamp his game in order to match Alcaraz's level.For his part, Alcaraz believes he is reaching new heights."I played perfectly," he said after lifting the trophy. "This is the best tournament so far that I have ever played. The consistency of my level has been really, really high - it's something I've been working on."The 22-year-old Alcaraz is already talked about among the sport's greatest-ever players. But just how well does he rank against them so far?BBC Sport has examined how he compares against the men's game's legends at the same stage of their careers.Speed and surface mastery put Alcaraz on a pedestal alreadyTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedMedia caption, How does Alcaraz rank against tennis legends at his age?Since Alcaraz joined the ATP Tour as a 16-year-old, he has been lauded for the variety of his play, being able to combine cutting low slices with ferocious forehands and deft drop shots to consistently catch opponents off guard and win points in breathtaking ways.But his ability to stitch together that kind of all-around quality on any surface is what is already setting him apart from anybody else.Alcaraz has now won two Grand Slams on each of the hard, grass, and clay surfaces - only Rafael Nadal (when aged 24), Mats Wilander (aged 24), and Novak Djokovic (aged 34), have ever achieved the same feat in the men's game.The speed at which Alcaraz is racking up the majors is astonishing, too - he has taken only 19 tournaments to win six slams, second only to the record of 18 set by Bjorn Borg in 1978.Only Borg has won six slams at a younger age than Alcaraz, doing so by winning three on clay at Roland Garros and three on grass at Wimbledon.At 22 Nadal also had six (but won the last of those when he was a few months older than Alcaraz), while Pete Sampras was on five, and Wilander four.The likes of eight-time Wimbledon winner Roger Federer (three) and 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic (one) were way behind the pace of Alcaraz at his age.Alcaraz won the first of his Grand Slam titles in New York in 2022 aged 19, and followed it up with his maiden Wimbledon triumph the following year.In the past two seasons he has won two majors per year. If he were to carry on at that trajectory, he would equal Djokovic's tally of 24 in 2034, when he will be 31 and should still have many years of his career ahead of him.The rate at which Alcaraz is winning matches on the biggest stages also makes clear that he already belongs in the most illustrious company.During 2025 he has equalled Nadal's record for most Grand Slams in a calendar year by a player aged 22 or younger, and is second only to Borg for match win percentage at Grand Slams at this age.Serve supremacy takes game to new levelAlcaraz's serve has never been a weakness, but he rendered it one of his most irrepressible weapons in New York by increasing his power to levels he has never before shown.Against Sinner he served a stunning 10 aces, raising his average serve speed from 113mph to 120mph between his opening victory against Reilly Opelka and the final.During the tournament Alcaraz won 84% of his first-serve points and 63% on his second serve - both higher than anybody else in the tournament - and hit the fastest serve of any player during the final, clocking a whopping 134mph.Compared to Roland Garros and Wimbledon earlier this year, when Alcaraz beat and then lost to Sinner in the finals, the difference in serve speed is stark.The set Alcaraz lost in the latest final was the only one he dropped in the entire tournament, and the three breaks of serve he suffered during the fortnight are the second-lowest in Grand Slams since 1991 - Sampras was only broken twice when he won Wimbledon in 1997.And most impressively of all, the measly 10 break points he faced during the fortnight are the lowest of any Grand Slam winner since 1991.How could Alcaraz improve from here?Despite his glowing review of his own performance at Flushing Meadows, Alcaraz still believes he has a way to go before he reaches his pinnacle."At 22 years old, it's difficult to already be at your maximum level," he said after demolishing Sinner. "Little by little I'll keep improving to try and get there."The best Carlos hasn't come out yet."Aside from terrifying the rest of the tour, that statement begs a big question - how exactly can Alcaraz possibly improve from here?It's true that the Spaniard remains prone to occasional bouts of erratic shot-making during high-level matches, sometimes succumbing to 30 minute or so spells in which his touch and depth appear to desert him.Indeed, in the set he lost to Sinner on Sunday, Alcaraz made 11 unforced errors, compared to only two each in the previous and following sets.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Alcaraz's win makes him the new world number one, and he leads his head-to-head record against Jannik Sinner 10-5Cutting those periods out could be a way to maintain his peak ruthlessness and restrict the chance for top-quality opponents to gain a foothold in matches.And if the improvement in the serve is anything to go by, perhaps Alcaraz could even add further development to some of the already immensely impressive skills he possesses.During Sunday's final he hit a couple of groundstrokes that surpassed 100mph, a staggering level of speed to be reaching during rallies against any player, never mind one who hits as hard as Sinner. Striking at that kind of speed on a more regular basis would make him almost impossible to beat.No matter how he develops his game and how many more majors he wins from here, Alcaraz has already demonstrated he is among the very best players the sport has known.Fans around the world can now watch and see whether, by the end of his career, he is lauded as the undisputed greatest ever.Additional data collection and visualisations by Jordan Butler.Related topicsTennisMore on this story'I see you more than my family' - Alcaraz on Sinner rivalryPublished6 days agoComments can not be loadedTo load Comments you need to enable JavaScript in your browserCommentsJoin the conversationThese comments are now closed.696 commentsShowLatestOldestHighest RatedMost RepliedNComment by noplanb at 16:28 8 Sepnoplanb16:28 8 SepHe is definitely a star of the present, and the sky is the limit.And he is focused and grounded. He is a personality that is likeable and a very watchable styleHowever, can't compare him to other eras as things are so different now - training, diet, etc etcAs with all sport, I'd love to see a Borg, Laver perform today, with all the benefits current players have. Would be fascinating.Reply20419Show comment linksGComment by Gregor at 18:08 8 SepGregor18:08 8 Septo noplanb"He is definitely a star of the present, and the sky is the limit. And he is focused and grounded. He is a personality that is likeable and a very watchable style However, can't compare him to other eras as things are so different now - training, diet, etc etc As with all sport, I'd love to see a Borg, Laver perform today, with all the benefits current players have. Would be fascinating."Hangs out at too many bull fights for me to find him likeable.Reply1660Show comment linksMore replies (32)HComment by harpertvemail at 16:51 8 Sepharpertvemail16:51 8 SepIt'll always be hard to judge because half the equation is the quality of the opposition How would Alacaraz have fared during Federer and Nadal prime?We'll never knowReply1439Show comment linksPComment by pthp at 16:52 8 Seppthp16:52 8 Septo harpertvemail"It'll always be hard to judge because half the equation is the quality of the opposition How would Alacaraz have fared during Federer and Nadal prime? We'll never know"sinner is not exactly tim henman .... (sorry tim)Reply5820Show comment linksMore replies (32)TComment by Tuckomania at 16:43 8 SepTuckomania16:43 8 SepAt one point, it looked nailed on that Tsitsipas and Zverev were the heir apparent to the big three. Now, they are borderline an afterthought at slams. You can never predict what will happen. Maybe the likes of Shelton, Draper, Fritz find another gear. Maybe a youngster comes out of nowhere. But until that happens, it's a duopoly. Which I am not sure is a good thing long term.Reply10510Show comment linksPComment by pthp at 16:56 8 Seppthp16:56 8 Septo Tuckomania"At one point, it looked nailed on that Tsitsipas and Zverev were the heir apparent to the big three. Now, they are borderline an afterthought at slams. You can never predict what will happen. Maybe the likes of Shelton, Draper, Fritz find another gear. Maybe a youngster comes out of nowhere. But until that happens, it's a duopoly. Which I am not sure is a good thing long term."thank goodness they did not come thru .... particularly zverev ... or mr. sulky pants as he's now know.Reply3025Show comment linksMore replies (9)SComment by Spoondog at 17:10 8 SepSpoondog17:10 8 SepWay to early to compare Alcaraz & Sinner to the previous generation & whilst even in 10-15 years you can compare records, it'll be nigh on impossible to definitely say who's the best. However it's just brilliant for the game that such a golden generation hasn't been followed by an almost inevitable drop off in terms of quality & rivalry, for which they both deserve huge credit already.Reply8511Show comment linksJComment by Jens tv at 18:41 8 SepJens tv18:41 8 Septo Spoondog"Way to early to compare Alcaraz & Sinner to the previous generation & whilst even in 10-15 years you can compare records, it'll be nigh on impossible to definitely say who's the best. However it's just brilliant for the game that such a golden generation hasn't been followed by an almost inevitable drop off in terms of quality & rivalry, for which they both deserve huge credit already."Couldn’t have put that better ??????Reply223Show comment linksMore replies (2)AComment by AndrewH at 17:14 8 SepAndrewH17:14 8 Sep6 Slams already puts him ahead of Courier, equal with Becker and Edberg, one behind McEnroe and Wilander, and 2 behind Connors and Lendl.And that’s for their whole careers.So even if he never picks up a racket again, he is already an all time great.As to whether he can surpass Djokovic’s tally, that all depends on staying healthy and motivated, what Sinner does and who else emerges.Reply719Show comment linksDComment by diesel001 at 17:20 8 Sepdiesel00117:20 8 Septo AndrewH"6 Slams already puts him ahead of Courier, equal with Becker and Edberg, one behind McEnroe and Wilander, and 2 behind Connors and Lendl. And that’s for their whole careers. So even if he never picks up a racket again, he is already an all time great. As to whether he can surpass Djokovic’s tally, that all depends on staying healthy and motivated, what Sinner does and who else emerges."Wilander is underrated 7 slams but noone talks about him. He does the tennis coverage for Eurosport / TNT Sports, but isn't held in the same regard as players like McEnroe and LendlReply685Show comment linksMore replies (17)KComment by kinsang at 16:36 8 Sepkinsang16:36 8 SepOut of all the stats, I was most impressed by the fact that Agassi only faced 15 break points when winning the Aus Open in 95. For someone who wasn't renowned for his serve at all, that is impressive. Alcaraz is of course a star, but he played so well last nite, and credit to Sinner for getting a set. No doubt he will regroup and these 2 seem so far ahead, but things can change quicklyReply667Show comment linksCComment by chimpish79 at 17:08 8 Sepchimpish7917:08 8 Septo kinsang"Out of all the stats, I was most impressed by the fact that Agassi only faced 15 break points when winning the Aus Open in 95. For someone who wasn't renowned for his serve at all, that is impressive. Alcaraz is of course a star, but he played so well last nite, and credit to Sinner for getting a set. No doubt he will regroup and these 2 seem so far ahead, but things can change quickly"If you can set up the +1 with your serve and you are devastating with it, it can become as effective as a really great first serve. Alcaraz forehand is in that category.Reply112Show comment linksMore replies (1)LComment by Liam at 17:07 8 SepLiam17:07 8 SepSinner is only 2 years older and is on 4 slams already. It seems a bit strange to omit Sinner from the analysis. Either player can beat the other on their day.Reply555Show comment linksFComment by Fred at 17:12 8 SepFred17:12 8 Septo Liam"Sinner is only 2 years older and is on 4 slams already. It seems a bit strange to omit Sinner from the analysis. Either player can beat the other on their day."Perhaps. But when both are on their day, I think Carlos has proved that he's the better player.Reply3616Show comment linksMore replies (3)SComment by saddletramp at 16:50 8 Sepsaddletramp 16:50 8 SepRod Laver is the GOAT.Missed 6 years at the peak of his career due to being banned.Won all 4 slams in his last year. Could have won another 20+ in the years he was banned.Reply7732Show comment linksPComment by Paul Wilmot at 17:00 8 SepPaul Wilmot17:00 8 Septo saddletramp "Rod Laver is the GOAT. Missed 6 years at the peak of his career due to being banned. Won all 4 slams in his last year. Could have won another 20+ in the years he was banned."Agree. People often leave him out of the stats for this reason but he really was stand alone, at the time, with his greatness.Reply435Show comment linksMore replies (25)RComment by RichnJem at 16:52 8 SepRichnJem16:52 8 SepSuperb final, yes not a classic but Alcaraz played the ball so early against sinner and rushed the rusher. Can’t compare any past players as each would adapt to the player in front of them. Let’s just enjoy the quality!!!Reply495Show comment linksAComment by Alfa2016 at 16:55 8 SepAlfa201616:55 8 SepAs long as Alcaraz avoids injury, he will exceed 24 slams. It's a big IF though, we saw what muscle mass + aggressive play did to Rafa over the years.Reply488Show comment linksRComment by Redeagle at 17:23 8 SepRedeagle17:23 8 Septo Alfa2016"As long as Alcaraz avoids injury, he will exceed 24 slams. It's a big IF though, we saw what muscle mass + aggressive play did to Rafa over the years."Bare in mind Nadal was diagnosed with Mueller-Weiss in 2005 (reason why I think Nadal's achievements are the greatest)Reply487Show comment linksMore replies (7)YComment by Yorkieboycanada at 17:21 8 SepYorkieboycanada17:21 8 SepLets not write off Sinner quite yet. Alcaraz had a great day at the office...Sinner had a poor day by his standards.Reply406Show comment linksTComment by Transco at 20:44 8 SepTransco20:44 8 Septo Yorkieboycanada"Lets not write off Sinner quite yet. Alcaraz had a great day at the office...Sinner had a poor day by his standards."Let’s hope Sinner doesn’t get banned again or it could get boringReply85Show comment linksMore replies (1)BComment by Bro at 16:57 8 SepBro16:57 8 SepWell this is all well and good. Yes he is the current fav flavour of the month. Besides Sinner, there is no one else as yet at this level so that odds of him adding slams is inevitable. Remember Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray, Warrinka, cilic, Del Potro, the golden era. Remember Djorkavic at nearly 39 is still giving these guys a hard time.Reply4612Show comment linksJComment by JD at 17:48 8 SepJD17:48 8 Septo Bro"Well this is all well and good. Yes he is the current fav flavour of the month. Besides Sinner, there is no one else as yet at this level so that odds of him adding slams is inevitable. Remember Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray, Warrinka, cilic, Del Potro, the golden era. Remember Djorkavic at nearly 39 is still giving these guys a hard time."Djokovic is hardly giving anyone a hard time these days.Reply3272Show comment linksMore replies (25)PComment by patsy at 16:52 8 Seppatsy16:52 8 SepAlcaraz is certainly on track to challenge for being one of the greats. But as with any such accolade, fitness and longevity will be key.Along with focus, quality of opposition and a host of other variables...One can only hope he stays fit and healthy and graces the tournaments for many years to come??Reply354Show comment linksCComment by cell it to me at 17:23 8 Sepcell it to me17:23 8 Septo patsy"Alcaraz is certainly on track to challenge for being one of the greats. But as with any such accolade, fitness and longevity will be key. Along with focus, quality of opposition and a host of other variables... One can only hope he stays fit and healthy and graces the tournaments for many years to come??"If Auger Aliassime can improve he could be a worthy opponent.Reply83Show comment linksMore replies (18)CComment by ctrlaltdel at 18:01 8 Sepctrlaltdel18:01 8 SepYou just can’t see Alcaraz taking a ‘medical timeout’ in order to upset his opponent. Far too decent a man for that sort of shenanigans…..Reply344Show comment linksCComment by chimpish79 at 18:16 8 Sepchimpish7918:16 8 Septo ctrlaltdel"You just can’t see Alcaraz taking a ‘medical timeout’ in order to upset his opponent. Far too decent a man for that sort of shenanigans….."Might need to take one if he’s still playing at 38!Reply155Show comment linksMore replies (5)NComment by No offence at 17:22 8 SepNo offence17:22 8 SepToo early for such talk. I love the fact that he is winning with artistry and magic, like Federer, Sampras. You're just in awe of the skill level, the sheer beauty of it all. I admire Sinner but he's more in the mold of Nadal and Djokovic.Reply307Show comment linksCComment by chimpish79 at 17:58 8 Sepchimpish7917:58 8 Septo No offence"Too early for such talk. I love the fact that he is winning with artistry and magic, like Federer, Sampras. You're just in awe of the skill level, the sheer beauty of it all. I admire Sinner but he's more in the mold of Nadal and Djokovic."Sinner plays absolutely nothing like Nadal.Reply322Show comment linksMore replies (6)RComment by Rollman at 18:27 8 SepRollman18:27 8 SepWithout doubt the most naturally gifted player since Federer.Djokovic, Sinner & Nadal had to work incredibly hard to perfect their games and clearly did so hugely successfully.Alcaraz's natural ability is superior to Sinner's and if he maintains focus and fitness throughout his career can certainly chase Djokovic's record.Reply211Show comment linksYComment by Yasir at 17:21 8 SepYasir17:21 8 SepAlcaraz is amazing but think the media is getting ahead of itself. Lets look when he is actually in his prime years and see how things stack up. And as other have said its impossible to compare but personally if Novak is giving these guys a tricky time at his age, that in itself tells me everything.Reply256Show comment linksSComment by SamB at 18:50 8 SepSamB18:50 8 Septo Yasir"Alcaraz is amazing but think the media is getting ahead of itself. Lets look when he is actually in his prime years and see how things stack up. And as other have said its impossible to compare but personally if Novak is giving these guys a tricky time at his age, that in itself tells me everything."Djockovic got smashed the other day.Yes he's towards the end of his career and no longer in his prime, but Carlos may not be either. He is still very young and could improve further.Reply166Show comment linksMore replies (2)JComment by jarvis at 16:33 8 Sepjarvis16:33 8 SepThese 2 look like they'll dominate for years. Draper may pinch a slam if one of these is injured.Reply236Show comment linksRemoved CommentMore replies (1)IComment by itfc1971 at 17:15 8 Sepitfc197117:15 8 SepHe has had an amazing start to his career and he does have the potential to become the greatest player ever .whether he achieves that status will depend on several variables such as injuries, desire, longevity.Reply171Show comment linksCComment by chimpish79 at 16:52 8 Sepchimpish7916:52 8 SepPART 1Alcaraz with 6 majors and as a 2 time winner on all 3 major surfaces rawly ranks as number 1 as a 22 year old.However Djokovic would have had to usurp peak Federer and peak Nadal to manage this at 22. So when you take player opposition into account it becomes more nuanced.Is Alcaraz a better player at 22 than Federer, Nadal and Djokovic? TBC in part 2.Reply226Show comment linksJComment by JD at 17:47 8 SepJD17:47 8 Septo chimpish79"PART 1 Alcaraz with 6 majors and as a 2 time winner on all 3 major surfaces rawly ranks as number 1 as a 22 year old. However Djokovic would have had to usurp peak Federer and peak Nadal to manage this at 22. So when you take player opposition into account it becomes more nuanced. Is Alcaraz a better player at 22 than Federer, Nadal and Djokovic? TBC in part 2."Way better than Djokovic. And way more likeable.Reply5224Show comment linksMore replies (6)More commentsBack to toploading comments module
