Alcaraz to join exclusive club.

England’s WIMBLEDON — When Carlos Alcaraz won the French Open last month, he made history twice by defeating Alexander Zverev.

In addition to being the only man in tennis history to win a Grand Slam on all three surfaces before turning 22, the Spaniard also became the first male player to win his first three Grand Slam titles on grass, hard court, and clay.

Monday marks the start of Wimbledon, giving Alcaraz another opportunity to write his name into history.

Alcaraz hopes to become a member of an even more exclusive group this time around than the group of seven players who have won Grand Slam men’s titles on all three surfaces.

The 21-year-old, who is favored to win his second straight title at the All-England Club, will also try to complete the aptly dubbed “Channel Slam” by winning Wimbledon and the French Open back-to-back.

“Well, it’s hard to win Grand Slams. Obviously, the surface changes from a clay court to a grass court, the game of play is very different,” Alcaraz remarked prior to his first-round encounter on Monday against Mark Lajal of Estonia.

“Let’s say, I’m going to try.”

Alcaraz, who was sitting in front of reporters with a new haircut and the summertime look of a heavyweight white T-shirt and cutoff jean shorts, exuded youthful excitement as he discussed the problem during a news conference on Saturday. He also smiled broadly throughout his remarks.

Don’t let his optimism, though, fool you—the gap between the French Open and Wimbledon can be horrifying.

For that reason, only five men have achieved the feat since the Open era began in 1968: Rafael Nadal in 2008 and 2010, Roger Federer in 2009, Novak Djokovic in 2021, Bjorn Borg in 1978, 1979, and 1980, and Rod Laver in 1969, the year he won the Grand Slam.

Slow clay and rapid grass are the two surfaces that are least similar to each other during the championships. In just three weeks, players must modify their mobility, ball striking, footwork, and game strategy.

“I know that there’s going to be a really difficult and big challenge for me [winning the two Grand Slams back-to-back],”

“But I think I’m ready to do it,” Alcaraz remarked.

Along with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, the lanky Italian who defeated Alcaraz in the semifinals of the French Open despite winning the Australian Open in January, he is one of the few favorites to win the men’s title here.

Before Wimbledon, Zverev advanced to the semifinals of a grass-court competition in Halle, Germany, and he has the potential to go far.

And despite having surgery on June 5 to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, world No. 2 Novak Djokovic remains optimistic about his chances to compete.

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