As Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Świątek, and Jannik Sinner continue to redefine modern tennis, former Roger Federer coach Paul Annacone offered a grounded take on whether any of them will complete a Career Grand Slam. Annacone did not hesitate to say yes, but his answer came with nuance. While all three have already built resumes worthy of the sport’s elite, Annacone believes Świątek is closest to finishing the set. At the same time, the men’s path appears far more complicated and unlikely to be resolved all at once.
Roger Federer’s Former Coach, Paul Annacone, Backs Iga Świątek to Finish the Career Grand Slam First
In a conversation with Tennis.com, Annacone was unequivocal about Swiatek’s chances. He said he believes she will complete the Career Grand Slam as early as next year by winning the Australian Open, the only major missing from her résumé.
When discussing the men, Annacone struck a more cautious tone. He acknowledged that Alcaraz and Sinner are both capable of achieving the feat but emphasized how difficult it would be for both to do so in the same time frame.
“Yes. I believe Iga Świątek will get there next year and win the Australian Open. When it comes to the guys, nothing would shock me, but it’s tough to see both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner making it happen in 2026. Maybe one or the other,” Annacone said.
How Close Are Carlos Alcaraz, Świątek, and Jannik Sinner to Joining the Career Grand Slam Club?
The Career Grand Slam remains one of the most selective achievements in tennis. Alcaraz has already proven his versatility by winning multiple US Open titles (2022, 2025), French Open titles (2024, 2025), and Wimbledon titles (2023, 2024), leaving only the Australian Open title missing from his collection. He made Melbourne quarterfinals in 2024 and 2025.
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Świątek has turned Roland Garros into her stronghold (2020, 2022, 2023, 2024), added a US Open title (2022), and finally broke through at Wimbledon (2025), narrowing her pursuit to Melbourne alone, where she has reached the semifinals in 2022 and 2025 but not yet lifted the trophy.
Sinner’s rise has followed a different rhythm, highlighted by Australian Open (2024, 2025), Wimbledon (2025), and US Open (2024) titles that established him as one of the tour’s most dependable big-match players. The most significant gap in his Grand Slam set remains the French Open, where he has reached the finals in 2025 but has yet to convert opportunity into a title.
