Jannik Sinner’s goal of completing a Career Grand Slam at Roland Garros this year has turned to maroon dust, an especially painful blow to the 24-year old Italian World No. 1 for two reasons: the squandered opportunity represented by the absence of Carlos Alcaraz, and the extraordinary level of skill and success Sinner maintained over the long haul of the spring clay tour.
But this loss also reminds us that a Career Grand Slam is no small thing, even if the degree-of-difficulty associated with it is taking a beating. Until 1999, only two men in the Open Era had managed to produce a CGS: Rod Laver in 1969 and, exactly 30 years later, Andre Agassi. An entire decade then passed until the dam broke in 2009, when Roger Federer became the first member of the Big Three to accomplish a CGS. His two main rivals, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, followed soon thereafter, and just this year Carlos Alcaraz also completed the four-tournament set.
Like currency, or real estate, the CSG has been buffeted by the winds of change and fluctuating in value. The trend has been downward since Federer’s breakthrough, but Sinner’s loss may restore some of the achievement’s lost prestige – especially if Sinner continues to falter at Roland Garros.
Back when Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal at the US Open to claim his third different Grand Slam title, he was asked in his post-match press conference if a Career Grand Slam was his next goal.
“Sure. Why not?” The (then) 24-year old Serbian star replied. “It would be unbelievable to complete the [Career] Grand Slam, to win the French Open. It’s definitely an ambition, but it’s going to take time.”