The Spaniard bettered the record of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic at a Grand Slam event.
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Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz etched his name in history with his first round appearance at the Australian Open 2022 on Monday. Alcaraz displayed his dominance in the opening round to overcome his Chilean counter-part Alejandro Tabilo 6-2, 6-2, 6-3. However, what was more notable is that, the Spaniard who is seeded 31st for the first time at a major event at the age of 18 years, eight months and twelve days overtook the big three of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic with his unique seeding. The big three, incidentally, were not as young as Alcaraz when they were seeded for the first time at a major event.
“Being seeded is always good,” said Alcaraz, who made his major main draw debut one year ago at Melbourne Park. “In the early rounds, you kind of avoid meeting the top players, that’s a small advantage that is always welcome. And I think I’ve earned the position.”
| Player | Age | Tournament | Seed | Round |
| Carlos Alcaraz | 18 years, 8 months, 12 days | 2022 Australian Open | 31 | TBC |
| Rafael Nadal | 18 years, 11 months, 20 days | 2005 Roland Garros | 4 | W |
| Novak Djokovic | 19 years, 3 months, 6 days | 2006 US Open | 20 | R32 |
| Roger Federer | 19 years, 10 months, 17 days | 2001 Wimbledon | 15 | QF |
| Player | Age | Tournament |
| Bjorn Borg | 17 years, 6 months, 18 days | 1973 |
| Boris Becker | 18 years, 3 days | 1985 |
| John Alexander | 18 years, 6 months, 15 days | 1970 |
| Yannick Noah | 18 years, 7 months, 7 days | 1978 |
| Carlos Alcaraz | 18 years, 8 months, 12 days | 2022 |
The Spaniard, in fact, is the youngest player to be seeded at a Grand Slam since Michael Chang (18 years, 6 months and 5 days) at the 1990 US Open, and Boris Becker (18 years, 3 days) at the 1985 Australian Open.
“I like being established on Tour, when players know you’re there and see you as a close rival,” said last year’s Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals champion. “Last year was a great year for me, when I consolidated myself as one of the best on Tour. I’m almost in the Top 30, and it’s very good when other players are getting to know you, and that they have a bit more respect for you.”
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Alcaraz also believes that he has a big chance of recording his best finish at the Grand Slam in the Australian Open this year. He had finished in the quarter-finals of the US Open last year.
“I like seeing the draw, I like dreaming, seeing who’s in the semi-finals. To me, that’s dreaming right now,” he added. Maybe the Spaniard should take things one step at a time, but then again, Alcaraz does things a little quicker than most.
