When Carlos Alcaraz won his sixth Grand Slam title on Sunday, he did so by thoroughly outclassing the world's number one player in what may prove to be the best performance of his career so far.

Defending US Open champion Jannik Sinner, whose distinguished hard-court record is among the best in tennis history, faltered under the weight of Alcaraz's skills, losing 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. Sinner himself admitted he needed to reevaluate his game to keep pace with the Spaniard's rising level.

Alcaraz's assertion that he played 'perfectly' speaks volumes about his growing confidence and belief in his abilities.

Currently, at just 22, Alcaraz is already in discussions about the greatest players in tennis history. His performance prompts an examination of how he ranks against the legends of the sport at the same point in their careers.

Speed and Surface Mastery Elevates Alcaraz

Since debuting on the ATP Tour as a teenager, Alcaraz has been praised for the diversity in his play. His capacity to blend low slices, powerful forehands, and clever drop shots gives him an edge that places him above contemporary players.

Alcaraz boasts victories on hard, grass, and clay courts, an achievement matched only by tennis greats including Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

His rapid success rate is equally impressive—he has secured six Grand Slams in just 18 tournaments, tying Bjorn Borg's record established in 1978. Only Borg achieved this feat at a younger age, while others like Roger Federer and Pete Sampras lagged behind in Grand Slam count by age 22.

The Progression of Alcaraz’s Serve

Alcaraz's serve has always been solid, but it reached alarming new power levels during his championship run, serving ten aces against Sinner. He improved his average serve speed significantly throughout the tournament.

Alcaraz recorded an 84% win rate on first serves, indicating just how effectively he dominated on key points throughout the matches.

Notably, with just 10 break points faced during the tournament— a historical low—Alcaraz is making a statement about his competitive nature.

Future Improvements for Alcaraz

Despite his incredible growth and achievements, Alcaraz recognizes there is still room for improvement as he continues his ascent in the sport.

This realization raises questions about how he can refine his game further. Addressing brief periods of inconsistency during high-stakes matches will be essential to his sustained success moving forward.

Ultimately, Alcaraz is already proving himself among the very best in tennis history, and as he continues to grow, the potential for further accolades only heightens the excitement surrounding his career achievements.