Already with major triumphs in Paris, London and New York, all that’s missing from his collection is the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup. Should he hoist it, he would become the youngest man in history to complete the Career Grand Slam.

“[The main] thing for me is Grand Slams, try to win as much Grand Slams as I can. That’s my main goal,” said Alcaraz, who is yet to go beyond the quarterfinals at the Australian Open.

“I think [the AO is] going to be great. It’s my first goal, to be honest. When I just go to the pre-seasons to what I want to improve, what I want to achieve, Australian Open is there. It’s the first or second tournament of the year, and it is always the main goal for me to complete a career Grand Slam, calendar Grand Slam.

“I just wanted to complete it. Obviously I’m going to try to do it next year, but if it is not next year, hopefully in two and three and four.”

Standing in his way could be arch rival Jannik Sinner, whom Alcaraz beat in both the Roland Garros and US Open finals – extending what has become the most compelling rivalry in the sport’s current era.

The final in Paris proved to be a gruelling battle, a five-set extravaganza lasting five hours and 29 minutes and going down as the longest final – and one of the greatest – played at the claycourt major. There, Alcaraz proved his prowess through determination and fighting spirit, recovering from two-sets-to-love down and saving three championship points to win 4-6 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(3) 7-6(2).

“Just really grateful for that [rivalry] because it gives me the opportunity to give my 100 per cent every practice, every day,” said Alcaraz of Sinner, who will be going for his third consecutive AO title in January.

“The level that I have to maintain and I have to raise if I want to beat Jannik is really high.”

A further three ATP Masters 1000 titles, in Monte Carlo, Rome and Cincinnati, helped Alcaraz snatch the top ranking from Sinner and he capped the season as ATP year-end No.1, a notch in his belt in the ongoing ‘Sincaraz’ rivalry.

On the high playing level Alcaraz referenced? You could see it throughout all facets of his game in 2025, which proved particularly consistent.