Carlos Alcaraz second fastest to major milestone in history

Carlos Alcaraz notched his 60th win at a major event Tuesday night with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory over Australia's Li Tu in the first round of the 2024 U.S. Open.

As a result, the 21-year-old Spaniard became the second fastest to reach the 60-win milestone in tennis history, behind only American legend John McEnroe.

While Alcaraz's overall record at slams stands at 60-10, he's 17-2 at Flushing Meadows , where he won his first major a few years ago. In 2024, Alcaraz has maintained a mindboggling record of 18-1, with his only loss coming to Germany's Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.

In 2023, Alcaraz was nearly spotless at majors as well, going 17-2 en route to his maiden Wimbledon title. Here's a year-by-year breakdown of him at major events since his debut at the 2021 Australian Open:

2021: 8-4 (no titles)
2022: 16-3 (U.S. Open)
2023: 17-2 (Wimbledon)
2024: 18-1 (French Open, Wimbledon)

The records prove he's getting incrementally better each passing year — an ominous sign for his foes on the Tour. With four majors already, Alcaraz has made a case for the greatest 21-year-old in history.

Can he pull off the hat trick?

Over the next few weeks, he can end that debate once and for all.

The Spaniard is trying to become only the third player in the Open Era to win the French Open, Wimbledon and U.S Open in the same calendar year, a rare trifecta only completed by Rod Laver and Rafael Nadal. After his win on Tuesday, Alcaraz was asked if he was aware of the feat awaiting him.

"Obviously, it would be a great achievement if I make it," Alcaraz said. "But I have six matches ahead. Every round is against a better opponent. It's gonna be difficult...Let's see if I'm still alive in two weeks."

Alcaraz will face the Netherlands' Botic van de Zandschulp in his second-round match on Thursday.