Alcaraz overtakes 'Big 3' as youngest seeded player at Grand Slam

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have been fairly young when they won their first grand slams but Carlos Alcaraz is the youngest of the four to be seeded at a grand slam event.

Spanish prospect Alcaraz is just 18 years and eight months old at this year's Australian Open. All three of 20-time Grand Slam champions Djokovic, Federer and Nadal were older than Alcaraz when they were first seeded at a Major. Nadal was the youngest of the ‘Big Three’ when he was seeded fourth at the 2005 French Open when he was 18 years and 11 months old.

Next was world number one Djokovic who was 19 years and three months old when he was seeded 20th at the 2006 US Open. Lastly, Federer was 19 years and 10 months old when he was seeded 15th at the Wimbledon in 2001. Alcaraz’s precociousness means he is also the youngest player in 32 years to be seeded at a Major, since Michael Chang was seeded 11th at the 1990 US Open when he was 18 years and six months old.

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Alcaraz was asked about being a seed and he said:

"Being seeded is always good. 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. I like being established on tour, when players know you’re there and see you as a close rival."

He further said:

“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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