With Jannik Sinner securing a maiden Wimbledon title in July, he and Carlos Alcaraz are both now one title away from a Career Grand Slam.
The Italian, a four-time major champion, has emerged victorious in Melbourne, London and New York, and just needs a French Open crown to achieve the feat, which only five men in the Open Era have managed.
Sinner came agonisingly close to going all the way on the clay courts of Roland Garros, but conceded three match points in the final against the new world number one, and ultimately came away empty-handed.
Alcaraz clinched his sixth major title at the US Open, but has yet to hoist the Australian Open trophy, which he will have the chance to do next January.
Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty ImagesJohn Isner and Sam Querrey discuss the Career Grand Slam race
Predicting the first to collect all four on the ‘Nothing Major’ podcast, former world number eight John Isner said: “I’m going to say Alcaraz, just because he has the first shot at it—winning the Australian Open.
“I think just by virtue of that being the next major… It’s a weird one that he hasn’t done that well at that tournament.
“Zverev has gotten him, Djokovic has gotten him there in recent years, so he should be fine.
“It is a weird one that he hasn’t done it with that level that we saw at the US Open. If he brings that, no one’s beating him, as we know.”
Former American player Sam Querrey added: “I’m agreeing with you. I think Alcaraz has a better shot.
“Him winning on the hard courts feels more feasible than Jannik winning on the clay. I don’t think Jannik’s dominant on the clay.
“He could have won it this year, but it just feels like, you know, maybe Jannik comes up against Musetti, and then, you know, Casper, and then Alcaraz—it’s a little tougher.
“I’d give the slight edge to Carlos on that one.”
Every men’s player in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam
Only five men in the Open Era have claimed all four Grand Slam titles; the first to do so was Rod Laver in 1969.
It was not until 1999 that Andre Agassi followed suit, when the American won his first and only Roland Garros championship.
Both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal completed the Career Grand Slam in 2009 and 2010 respectively, with the Swiss star coming out on top at the French Open, and the Spaniard clinching a maiden US Open crown.
The most recent man to join the exclusive list was Novak Djokovic, after the Serb triumphed in Paris for the first time in 2016.