Carlos Alcaraz’s staggering five-set Grand Slam record: How does it compare to Nadal, Djokovic, Federer?
Carlos Alcaraz pulled off a big escape at Wimbledon as he avoided joining an unwanted club, but his five-set win helped him to equal a unique Grand Slam record.
There was a moment on Centre Court where Alcaraz must have feared he would become only the fifth Wimbledon defending champion to lose in the first round as his match against veteran Fabio Fognini went to a decider following a sluggish fourth set.
It was a a real humdinger as the first four sets were split 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 2-6 before the five-time major winner ran away with things by winning the fifth set 6-1 to complete the victory in four hours and 37 minutes.
Two-time champion Alcaraz hasn’t lost at Wimbledon since Jannik Sinner defeated him in the fourth round in 2024.
“It doesn’t matter that the winning streak that I have right now, that I’ve been playing great on grass, that I’ve been preparing really well the week before,” the second seed said.
“Wimbledon is different. I could feel today that I was really nervous at the beginning. Being the first match on Centre Court, it’s a huge privilege for me even though that I played last year the first match.
“Yeah, it feels the first time. I just try to deal with the nerves the best way possible. And yeah, the first match struggling a little bit with the nerves. But I think it was great. As I say, it is a big honour to start the tournament there in Centre Court.”
The five-set win was Alcaraz’s 14th in 15 Grand Slam matches that went to a decider and the Wimbledon win came not long after his 4-6, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (10-2) win over Jannik Sinner in the French Open final.
With the 14-1 record in five-setters, Alcaraz drew level with Mats Wilander for most victories after 15 five-set matches played in Grand Slams in the Open Era.
The great Bjorn Borg and Johan Kriek are next best as they had 13-2 records after 15 Grand Slam five-setters.
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What about the five-set record of the Big Four and his current rival Sinner?
Rafael Nadal had a 12-3 record, Novak Djokovic was next best with 11-4 while Roger Federer and Andy Murray were 10-5. As for Sinner, the reigning world No 1 has won six out of 15.
The only player to beat the 21-year-old in a five-set match at Grand Slam level is Matteo Berrettini and that was back in 2022 at the Australian Open.
Alcaraz’s 15 Five-Set Match Results
Alcaraz beat Fabio Fognini at 2025 Wimbledon 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1
Alcaraz beat Jannik Sinner at 2025 French Open 4-6, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (10-2)
Alcaraz beat Frances Tiafoe at 2024 Wimbledon 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-2
Alcaraz beat Alexander Zverev 2024 French Open 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2
Alcaraz beat Jannik Sinner at 2024 French Open 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic at 2024 Wimbledon 1-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4
Alcaraz beat Frances Tiafoe at 2022 US Open 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 6-1, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3
Alcaraz beat Jannik Sinner at 2022 US Open 6-3, 6-7 (7-9), 6-7 (0-7), 7-5, 6-3
Alcaraz beat Marin Cilic at 2022 US Open 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
Alcaraz beat Jan-Lennard Struff at 2022 Wimbledon 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4
Alcaraz beat Albert Ramos at 2022 French Open 6-1, 6-7 (7-9), 5-7, 7-6 (2-7), 6-4
Matteo Berrettini beat Alcaraz at 2022 Australian Open 6-2, 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 2-6, 7-6 (7-5)
Alcaraz beat Peter Gojowczyk at 2021 US Open 5-7, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, 6-0
Alcaraz beat Stefanos Tsitsipas at 2021 US Open 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 0-6, 7-6 (7-5)
Alcaraz beat Yasutaka Uchiyama at 2021 Wimbledon 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
