ATP Tour

The stunning facts tying Federer, Nadal & Alcaraz's first Australian Open titles

There is stunning history that ties together the first Australian Open titles of Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. The trio's maiden triumphs at the season's first major have come at eerily similar times.

Alcaraz, Nadal and Federer each won the title for the first time aged 22 in their fifth appearance at the Australian Open, having never previously made the final of the tournament. Each of their victories came on 1 February. 

Alcaraz joined the club on Sunday when he battled past 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic in the final. With his 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 victory, the Spaniard also completed the Career Grand Slam.

Nadal, who was present inside Rod Laver Arena Sunday, lifted his first Melbourne trophy in 2009. After winning a memorable five-set semi-final against Fernando Verdasco, the lefty defeated Federer 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-2 to claim glory. He would then complete his Career Grand Slam the following year at the US Open.

Federer emerged victorious at the Australian Open for the first time in 2004. The Swiss beat three members of the ATP No. 1 Club en route to the crown: Lleyton Hewitt, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Marat Safin. Federer surged past Safin 7-6(3), 6-4, 6-2 in the final before capturing his Career Grand Slam at Roland Garros in 2009.

Alcaraz is now a seven-time major champion aged 22, while Nadal won 22 majors and Federer 20.

Sinner also won his first Australian Open aged 22 on his fifth appearance at the tournament, but on 28 January. The Italian emerged victorious in 2024, rallying from two sets down to beat Daniil Medvedev in the final 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3. The Italian will try to complete his Career Grand Slam later this year at Roland Garros.