The 5 men to win consecutive Australian and French Open titles – ft. Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal
Winning the Australian and French Open titles has proven to be one of the toughest tasks in tennis history.
Only five men in the Open Era have achieved the demanding double, with all among the very best to pick up a racket.
As reigning Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner looks to become just the sixth man to win the double, we look at the men who have written their names into the history books.
Novak Djokovic – 2016, 2021, 2023
Every year Djokovic has won the French Open title has also seen him claim victory Down Under.
The Serbian beat Andy Murray to claim the Australian Open title in 2016, and a few months later beat the Brit again to claim the one major that had previously eluded him.
Djokovic then completed the double five years later, beating Daniil Medvedev for his ninth crown in Melbourne, before victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas saw him win Roland Garros for a second time.
And, after beating Tsitsipas in the Australian Open final last season, he then beat Casper Ruud in Paris to complete the double for a staggering third time.
Read More: Novak Djokovic makes ‘Pandora’s Box’ statement as he addresses reasons for 2024 struggles
Rafael Nadal – 2022
Nadal’s stunning start to the 2022 season saw him complete the historic double for the very first time in his career.
The Spaniard famously battled back from two sets down to beat Medvedev at the Australian Open, claiming the title there for the first time in 13 years.
And, entering Roland Garros as a heavy favourite for the title, he was able to win back-to-back Slams.
After beating Djokovic in the last eight, Nadal eased past Ruud in the final for a 14th French Open triumph.
Rafa, king of Roland-Garros
Out of this world Stat of the day by @Infosys #RolandGarroswithInfosys #ExperiencetheNext pic.twitter.com/cjXPKyKBS1
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2024
Jim Courier – 1992
One of the best players of the early 1990s, Courier won multiple titles in both Melbourne and Paris – and won both events in 1992.
The American ace won the first of his two Australian Open titles at the start of the season, the second seed easing through the draw before beating Stefan Edberg in a four-set final.
Courier followed that up by successfully defending his French Open crown, beating Petr Korda in straight sets for a second Paris title.
He nearly completed the double the following year, winning in Melbourne before losing the Roland Garros final.
Read More: French Open Quiz – Can you answer these 13 fiendish questions?
Mats Wilander – 1988
Wilander’s 1988 season is one of the ages, with the Swede winning three of the four majors up for grabs that year.
And the former world No 1 started in style, claiming third titles in both Melbourne and Paris.
In a thrilling Australian Open final, Wilander battled past home favourite Pat Cash in five sets to regain the title Down Under, after previous triumphs in 1983 and 1984.
He then recaptured the French Open title, beating another home player – French star Henri Leconte – in straight sets for the sixth of his seven major victories.
Rod Laver – 1969
An all-time great of the sport, Rod Laver returned to Grand Slam action at the beginning of the Open Era – and went on to win all four major titles in 1969.
Laver’s dominant season started at his home major Down Under, with the ‘Rocket’ beating Andres Gimeno in straight sets to win the title on his return to the tournament.
And, in an all-Australian final, Laver regained the French Open title with a comprehensive victory over fellow great Ken Rosewall.
It was not the first time Laver had completed the double, also winning both events to achieve a Calendar Slam pre-Open Era in 1962.
