Carlos Alcaraz’s 2025 season felt like something straight out of a tennis fairytale. 8 titles. 2 Grand Slams. The year-end world number one ranking. Week after week, the Spaniard looked untouchable, blending fearless shot-making with the poise of a seasoned champion. By December, there was only one question hanging in the air: could he rewrite Novak Djokovic’s long-standing prize money record from 2015?

On paper, it seemed like he already had. In 2015, the Serb won 11 titles (including 3 Grand Slam triumphs) and also finished the year with a win-loss record of 82-6. In that season, Djokovic earned around $21,146,145. According to the recent report published by the ATP, Alcaraz topped the men’s prize money chart in 2025, raking in a staggering $21,354,778, comfortably ahead of Jannik Sinner, who finished second with $19,120,641. But…

The twist came buried in the ATP’s bonus structure - an often overlooked rule that can quietly reshape a season’s financial legacy. Under the ATP bonus pool system, players earn additional payouts based on points accumulated at Masters 1000 events and the ATP Finals. However, there’s a catch. Miss those tournaments, and the penalties are steep. For every Masters 1000 event skipped due to injury or withdrawal, a player’s bonus takes a 25% hit. 

For Carlos Alcaraz, fate struck at the worst possible time. The Spaniard was forced to miss both the Canadian Open and the Shanghai Masters, triggering a brutal double penalty. The result? His bonus payments were slashed in half - a $3 million reduction that completely changed the final math. Instead of surpassing Djokovic’s iconic 2015 record. Alcaraz’s official season earnings settled at $18.8 million, leaving him heartbreakingly short of history despite a year that otherwise bordered on perfection.

It’s a cruel story. On court, Alcaraz did everything asked of a champion - lifting trophies at Roland Garros and the US Open, dominating the tour, and finishing as the world’s best. Yet off court, the rigid structure of the ATP’s bonus system proved to be the final hurdle he couldn’t clear. Still, if there’s one takeaway from this near-miss, it’s this: Alcaraz didn’t just knock on Djokovic’s door - he kicked it wide open.

At just 22, with six Grand Slams already in his pocket and seasons like 2025 becoming the norm rather than the exception, the record books may not stay safe for much longer.

Carlos Alcaraz shares thoughts on breaking Novak Djokovic’s iconic record

Carlos Alcaraz has never shied away from dreaming big. On the court, those dreams have already taken shape - Grand Slam trophies, historic wins, and the unmistakable aura of a generational talent.

In September, during an interview, he was asked if he was trying to break Djokovic’s record for most wins in an ATP Tour season. Speaking on that, Alcaraz said, “Honestly, I’m not thinking about that. The future is uncertain, and it’s too distant a topic. All I can do is give my best every day and continue to grow. To become a better player and a better person, I put in 100% effort in both practice and matches. I don’t worry about anything else, and I have no intention of thinking about it in the future.”

Novak Djokovic secured 82 wins in the 2015 season, but this season he had only 71 wins. So, even here, the Spaniard failed to touch the Serb’s record. Can he get closer to another record with a bright start to his 2026 season?

Well, Djokovic is the only man in tennis history to be the reigning champion of all four majors at once across three different surfaces, and guess what? In singles, he’s the only man to achieve a triple Career Grand Slam. But Carlos Alcaraz is yet to find success in Melbourne.

What does he think about his chances of accomplishing this feat with a title triumph at the 2026 AO? “In 2026, I’d rather win Australia alone than win two repeated Grand Slams.” 

His goal is to end his career sitting at the table alongside legends like Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic. But can he touch the Serb’s 24 Grand Slam triumphs record?

In an interview with ‘El Partidazo de Cope,’ he was asked if he would be content with reaching 23 Grand Slam titles but failing to surpass Djokovic. His reply to this was, “Without thinking twice. In the end, we have to be realistic. Yes, I want to surpass 24, but we’re talking about 23. That’s a bit of a joke.”

Currently, Carlos Alcaraz is 18 Grand Slam titles away from leveling up with the Serbian. Do you think Carlitos can surpass Novak Djokovic before finishing his career?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. 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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