Carlos Alcaraz will try to repeat the title at Wimbledon, an extraordinary feat, but something historically easier than winning this tournament after triumphing at Roland Garros in the same year. A double known as the Channel Slam, which only five men and seven women have achieved in the Era Open (since 1968).
“Winning Grand Slams is difficult. Like changing from clay to a grass court, totally different surfaces, with a totally different game. Let’s say I’m going to try it. I want to put my name on that short list. I know it’s going to be a big challenge for me, but I think I’m ready to do it,” said Carlitos on Saturday, who could be the youngest to achieve it, at 21 years old. Why is it so difficult? Among other things, because of what the Murcian pointed out, because of the sudden change of surface, from brick dust to grass, terrain in which the movement, the speed of the court and the way of hitting the ball differ quite a bit. For example, at Wimbledon the serve, an aspect of the game that does not make a difference at Roland Garros, is crucial. And the shots tend to be flatter, less topspin. Furthermore, there is very little time between the French major and the British major, three weeks currently (a few years ago it was only two). That makes adaptation difficult, with few preparation tournaments.
Player of the Year2021Novak Djokovic (Ser)2010Rafa Nadal (Esp)2009Roger Federer (Sui)2008Rafa Nadal (Esp)1980Bjorn Borg (Sue)1979Bjorn Borg (Sue)1978Bjorn Borg (Sue) 1969Rod Laver (Aus)
That is why few tennis players can claim to have the Channel Slam on their record. The first to achieve it was Rod Laver. The Australian demonstrated his versatility in 1969. But the one who really established his ability to prevail on both clay and grass was Bjorn Borg. The Swede doubled in 1978, 1979 and 1980. Since then, 28 years passed until another legend, still active and missed at Wimbledon, achieved this feat: Rafa Nadal. In slower conditions due to the change in the type of grass and changes in the rackets and their stringing, the Spaniard did it in 2008 and 2010. In between, in 2009, the Swiss Roger Federer obtained his double. And in 2021, Novak Djokovic ended a drought that lasted 10 seasons, with his victory in the final at the All England Club against the Italian Matteo Berrettini.
Graf, the queen of the women’s circuit
Steffi Graf has her name inscribed in gold letters on the women’s list. The German won the Channel Slam four times: 1988, 1993, 1995 and 1996. She succeeded the Czech-American Martina Navratilova (1982 and 1984), who had imitated the successes in very prolific years of Margaret Court (1970), Evonne Goolagong (1971), Billie Jean King (1972) and Chris Evert (1974).
Player of the Year2015Serena Williams (USA)2002Serena Williams (USA)1996Steffi Graf (Ale)1993Steffi Graf (Ale)1988Steffi Graf (Ale)1984Martina Navratilova (RCh/USA)1982Martina Navratilova (RCh/USA )1974Chris Evert (USA)1972Billie Jean King (USA)1971Evonne Goolagong (Aus)1970Margaret Court (Aus)
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The last achiever was Serena Williams with her duos in 2002 and 2015. This year the Polish Iga Swiatek, world number one and champion a few weeks ago at Roland Garros, will try.
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2024-07-01 02:35:14
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