Carlos Alcaraz has always walked the fine line between humility and hunger—a prodigy who grew up idolizing the very legends he now competes against. Just a month ago, the Spaniard appeared unfazed by the talk surrounding Novak Djokovic’s seemingly untouchable record of 24 Grand Slam titles. But now, there is a slight change in that stance…

At just 22, Alcaraz is a six-time Grand Slam champion. And as a result of his massive success at such a young age, several tennis bigwigs like Mats Wilander have already predicted him to match Roger Federer’s 20 Grand Slam titles record. But can he surpass Djokovic’s record, though? He is currently 18 short of Djokovic’s staggering record. During the 2025 Japan Open, when he was asked about his career goals, he admitted, “I’m not thinking about Djokovic’s 24 Grand Slams or anything like that.”

But now, in a recent interview at the Six Kings Slam, he said, “There are a few [records] that I would love to break, obviously the most Grand Slams; I think everybody wants to do that. Or having the most weeks at number one. I think that one from Djokovic is something crazy. I think it’s 400 and something. I think those two records could be fun to break. It is tough to say one.”

If we make a comparison between the two, Novak Djokovic had won just one major title (2008 AO) before turning 23, and not only that, he became the world number one for the first time when he was 24 years old. Whereas Carlos Alcaraz is currently not only the world number one but also a multiple major title holder. So, in that aspect, the Spaniard has a slight edge over Nole. Now, coming to the other record, let’s take a look at the list of players who have spent the most number of weeks as the world number one.

For Alcaraz, the transformation from a rising star to a superstar might feel natural. The early reluctance to talk about records wasn’t perhaps about doubt—it was about focus. But as the trophies stack up, so does belief. And belief is dangerous in the hands of someone with his talent and tenacity.

This year, Carlos Alcaraz has already won 8 titles, and they include two major titles (the French Open and the US Open). Guess what? He’s now standing one step away from clinching the Six Kings Slam title as well, as he’s all set to take on Jannik Sinner in the final of this lucrative exhibition event. But before it gets down to this blockbuster duel, let’s take a glimpse at some of the predictions of tennis bigwigs surrounding Alcaraz’s chances of leveling up Djokovic’s incredible record.

The tennis world drops bold predictions about Carlos Alcaraz’s Grand Slam chase

Novak Djokovic’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles wasn’t built on talent alone—it was sculpted from an iron will, relentless discipline, and an unmatched ability to adapt. For Carlos Alcaraz, the road ahead is long, and the landscape is far more competitive than it was during the ‘Big 3’ era. Other superstars like Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, and many more are in the race. So, it’s not just about two or three individuals nowadays!

Although it’s true that we have mostly seen Sinner and Alcaraz finding success at the major stages in the past couple of seasons, still the pool of talent is quite vast in the current era. Can Alcaraz overcome all these hurdles and close his gap with Djokovic in total number of Grand Slam titles?

In September 2024, during an interview with Sport Klub, tennis legend Paul McNamee said that he believes it will take Carlos Alcaraz almost 20 years to fulfill his ambition of breaking Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam record.

Almost one year later, during a conversation on the ‘Nothing Major’ podcast, when tennis legends were asked about who will do it among Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner, Steve Johnson said that he thinks Carlos Alcaraz will do it first. Even Sam Querrey and Jack Sock gave a nod to the same.

Then recently, even Aussie superstar Nick Kyrgios, who is in fact also a close friend of Djokovic, admitted, “I think at the rate that Alcaraz is going, he could do it. He’s already got six at 22 years old. He’s winning two a year, so yeah, he could do it.” 

So, there have been quite a few bold predictions already about Alcaraz’s chances of matching Djokovic’s record. But what are your thoughts on the same, though?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallySports. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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Edited by

Shrabana Sengupta