Alcaraz’s record grass clip: faster than Federer, better than Borg

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Alcaraz’s record grass clip: faster than Federer, better than Borg

Spaniard seeking third consecutive Wimbledon trophy this fortnight

Julian Finney/Getty Images Carlos Alcaraz boasts a 30-3 grass-court record. By ATP Staff

Wait... what?!

Rafael Nadal took fewer matches to reach 30 grass wins than Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic? Indeed he did. The Spanish legend hit the milestone with a 30-7 record, better than eight-time Wimbledon champion Federer (30-11) and seven-time SW19 champion Djokovic.

While you ponder that, consider this: Carlos Alcaraz, who has already matched Nadal's two Wimbledon titles, has scorched the early marks of the 'Big Three' - and all former World No. 1s - in an astonishing start to his grass-court career.

Of the players to reach No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings in the Open Era, the 22-year-old is the fastest to claim 30 wins on grass, a mark Alcaraz secured when he defeated Fabio Fognini in the first round of Wimbledon. Alcaraz has just three losses on the surface.

Tied for second on the list are John McEnroe and Boris Becker, who each needed 35 matches to claim 30 victories, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. This fortnight, Alcaraz is aiming to lift his third Wimbledon trophy, the same number McEnroe and Becker each won during their illustrious careers.

First To 30 Wins on Grass (in Open Era) - Former No. 1s of PIF ATP Rankings

Alcaraz is on a 13-match winning streak on grass, dating back to last year’s early exit to Jack Draper at The Queen’s Club. The five-time major champion, who has defeated Novak Djokovic in the past two Wimbledon finals (2024, 2023), has not lost at the grass-court major since 2022, when he fell to Jannik Sinner in the round of 16.

On Wednesday, Alcaraz plays British qualifier Oliver Tarvet in the Wimbledon second round. Should he win, the Spaniard will join a select group of players (see table below) to notch 20 consecutive wins this century. (*Djokovic, Federer Nadal notched 20 straight wins on multiple occasions, the table below just shows their longest streaks.)

Longest Win Streaks (Since 2000)*

- Research courtesy Jon Jeraj

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