At just 22 years old, Carlos Alcaraz has cemented his place among tennis royalty, joining legends Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic on an elite list of players who have reached the quarterfinals at every ATP Masters 1000 event. This milestone, achieved with his victory over Karen Khachanov at the 2025 Rome Open, underscores Alcaraz’s meteoric rise and his ability to compete at the highest level across the sport’s most prestigious tournaments. The young Spaniard’s journey, marked by raw talent, relentless drive, and a flair for the dramatic, is rewriting the record books and setting the stage for a career that could rival the greatest in tennis history.
Alcaraz’s latest triumph in Rome saw him dispatch Khachanov in straight sets, securing his spot in the quarterfinals and etching his name alongside Nadal, Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Marcelo Rios as one of the youngest to conquer the Masters 1000 circuit. At 22 years and 13 days, Alcaraz is the second-youngest to achieve this feat, trailing only Nadal, who accomplished it at 21 years and 154 days. Djokovic, Federer, and Rios round out the exclusive club, with Djokovic hitting the mark at 22 years and 177 days, Federer at 22 years and 225 days, and Rios at 22 years and 318 days. Alcaraz’s achievement is a testament to his versatility, as he’s now proven his prowess on the hard courts of Indian Wells, the clay of Madrid, and every other Masters 1000 surface, showcasing a game that blends power, finesse, and mental fortitude.
The Rome Open victory was no walk in the park. Alcaraz faced a formidable opponent in Khachanov, but his tactical brilliance and explosive athleticism shone through. “He’s one of the best players in the world right now,” Alcaraz said of his next opponent, Jack Draper, acknowledging the challenge ahead. “The results show how good he is playing lately. [I] just want to take revenge from Indian Wells. I will try to be more ready. It’s going to be an interesting match to watch and to play.” This candid reflection highlights Alcaraz’s competitive spirit and his hunger to settle scores, particularly after Draper’s upset win over him in the 2025 Indian Wells semi-finals, where Alcaraz fell 6-1, 0-6, 6-4, ending his 16-match winning streak in the desert.
Alcaraz’s path to this milestone has been nothing short of extraordinary. Since bursting onto the scene, he’s amassed 19 ATP Tour-level singles titles, including four Grand Slams—two at Wimbledon, one at the US Open, and one at the French Open. His 2022 US Open victory made him the youngest world No. 1 in ATP history at 19 years, 4 months, and 6 days, a record that still stands. Alcaraz’s ability to dominate on all surfaces, from the clay of Roland Garros to the grass of Wimbledon, has drawn comparisons to Nadal, his idol, and Djokovic, whom he’s faced in epic battles. Notably, Alcaraz is the only player to defeat both Nadal and Djokovic back-to-back on clay, a feat he accomplished at the 2022 Madrid Open. “I know that I played a really good game,” Alcaraz said after that historic win over Djokovic, a match that saw him unleash 51 winners in a three-hour, 36-minute thriller.
Despite his meteoric rise, Alcaraz remains grounded, often emphasizing happiness over accolades. In his Netflix docuseries, *Carlos Alcaraz: My Way*, set for release on April 23, 2025, he opens up about the pressures of stardom, admitting, “I guess right now my fear would be that tennis becomes an obligation.” This vulnerability, coupled with his relentless pursuit of improvement, sets him apart. His coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, has pushed him to aim higher, warning, “We are here to create the greatest player because of his abilities and opportunities.” Alcaraz’s physical style, likened to Nadal’s intensity and Djokovic’s agility, has led to occasional setbacks, like cramps in his 2023 French Open semi-final loss to Djokovic. Yet, his 92.3% win rate in five-set matches—12-1 since 2022—shows his resilience in grueling contests.
Looking ahead, Alcaraz faces Draper in the Rome Open quarterfinals, a chance to avenge his Indian Wells loss and inch closer to another Masters 1000 title. With the French Open looming, where he’s the defending champion, Alcaraz is a favorite alongside Jannik Sinner. His rivalry with Sinner, whom he leads 7-4, has produced classics, including a three-hour, 21-minute China Open final in 2024. As Alcaraz continues to chase history, his place among Nadal and Djokovic signals not just a passing of the torch but the dawn of a new era in tennis, one where the Spaniard’s passion and talent could redefine greatness.
# Carlos Alcaraz Joins Nadal, Djokovic in Exclusive Masters 1000 Club
## A Historic Milestone in Rome
Carlos Alcaraz, at just 22, has etched his name alongside tennis legends Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Marcelo Rios by reaching the quarterfinals of every ATP Masters 1000 event. His straight-sets victory over Karen Khachanov at the 2025 Rome Open secured this milestone, making him the second-youngest to achieve it at 22 years and 13 days, trailing only Nadal.
## A Meteoric Rise
Alcaraz’s journey to this elite club is remarkable. With 19 ATP titles, including four Grand Slams, he’s the youngest world No. 1 in ATP history, a feat achieved after his 2022 US Open win. His 2022 Madrid Open triumph, where he defeated Nadal and Djokovic back-to-back on clay, showcased his fearless talent. “I know that I played a really good game,” Alcaraz said after outlasting Djokovic in a three-hour, 36-minute epic, firing 51 winners.
## Battling Challenges
Facing Khachanov in Rome, Alcaraz displayed his signature blend of power and finesse. Now, he sets his sights on Jack Draper in the quarterfinals, eager to avenge a 2025 Indian Wells loss. “He’s one of the best players in the world right now,” Alcaraz said of Draper. “I will try to be more ready.” His physical style, while dominant, has led to setbacks, like cramps in his 2023 French Open loss to Djokovic, but his 12-1 record in five-setters proves his grit.
## A Star Beyond the Court
Alcaraz’s Netflix docuseries, *Carlos Alcaraz: My Way*, releasing April 23, 2025, reveals his human side. “I guess right now my fear would be that tennis becomes an obligation,” he admits, reflecting on the pressures of stardom. Coach Juan Carlos Ferrero pushes for greatness, noting, “We are here to create the greatest player.” With rivalries against Sinner and Djokovic heating up, Alcaraz’s pursuit of history continues, with the French Open next on his horizon.
## The Future of Tennis
As Alcaraz joins Nadal and Djokovic on this exclusive list, his blend of Nadal’s passion, Djokovic’s agility, and Federer’s touch positions him as tennis’s next standard-bearer. With a potential Rome Open title and another Roland Garros run, Alcaraz is not just following legends—he’s carving his own path to greatness.
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