ATP Tour

Alcaraz's early Slam career outpaces Djokovic, Nadal, Federer. But whom can't he catch?

Carlos Alcaraz has made a significant impact at almost all of the 18 Grand Slam events he has played so far in his young career. Wimbledon 2025 has been no exception.

By defeating Cameron Norrie in straight sets on Tuesday to reach the semi-finals at the All England Club, Alcaraz increased his tally of main-draw match wins at the Slams to 76. That is one more than his iconic countryman Rafael Nadal had managed after he had competed at the same number of majors.

Back in the semi-finals for a third straight year! 🔥@carlosalcaraz gets past Norrie 6-2 6-3 6-3.@Wimbledon | #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/bLh49jIJ4g

— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 8, 2025

In fact, none of the ‘Big Three' — record-24-time Grand Slam titlist Novak Djokovic, 22-time trophy winner Nadal or 20-time champion Roger Federer — matched Alcaraz’s match win record across their own first 18 major campaigns. There are still two other members of the ATP No. 1 Club ahead of Alcaraz on the Open Era leaderboard, however.

Bjorn Borg won 78 matches across his first 18 majors. Alcaraz can only match the great Swede’s tally by going on to lift his third consecutive Wimbledon title this weekend in London. Meanwhile the one man Alcaraz cannot catch is John McEnroe, who notched 81 wins in 18 events to kick-start his Grand Slam career.

Most Match Wins In First 18 Majors (Open Era)

_{^{*Alcaraz into the semi-finals at his 18th major, Wimbledon 2025}}

It is a slightly different story when it comes to title count after 18 majors played, however. Borg leads that category with his six major trophies (Roland Garros 1974-75, 1978, Wimbledon 1976-78) after just 18 campaigns. Alcaraz can match that tally if he triumphs at Wimbledon, where he will face Taylor Fritz in Friday’s semi-finals (Alcaraz is also bidding to join Borg as the only men in the Open Era to win the Roland Garros-Wimbledon double in consecutive years).

Currently tied on five titles with Alcaraz (who has so far won the US Open 2022, Wimbledon 2023-24, Roland Garros 2024-25) are McEnroe (US Open 1979-81, Wimbledon 1981, 1983) and Nadal (Roland Garros 2005-08, Wimbledon 2008). In contrast, Djokovic (Australian Open 2008) and Federer (Wimbledon 2003) triumphed at just one of their first 18 majors.