The unstoppable rise of Carlos Alcaraz continues to redefine modern tennis. The 22-year-old Spaniard has stormed into his ninth consecutive final of the 2025 season after defeating Casper Ruud in a hard-fought semifinal at the Japan Open. With this milestone, Alcaraz has officially entered elite company, matching the incredible streaks once held by Rafael Nadal, Jimmy Connors, and Ilie Nastase — three of the game’s most decorated legends.
Alcaraz’s relentless consistency defines his 2025 season
It wasn’t an easy semifinal outing for Alcaraz, who had to dig deep to overcome a resilient Ruud in a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory. Despite a sluggish start, the world No. 1 showcased his trademark fighting spirit to secure his place in the Japan Open final, marking yet another impressive chapter in a near-flawless campaign.
The young Spaniard’s journey this season has been nothing short of spectacular. Since a rare early exit at the Miami Open, Carlos Alcaraz has made the finals of every tournament he’s entered — including Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome, Roland Garros, Queen’s Club, Wimbledon, Cincinnati, the US Open, and now Tokyo. His unmatched consistency and physical dominance have reignited comparisons with the sport’s greatest champions.
Joining the company of tennis royalty
By reaching his ninth straight final, Carlos Alcaraz has equaled the remarkable records of Rafael Nadal (2013), Jimmy Connors (1973–74), and Ilie Nastase (1972–73). Nadal’s streak came during one of his finest seasons, when he reached nine finals in a row from the Chile Open to Roland Garros, while Connors and Nastase accomplished similar feats during their peak years in the 1970s.
This latest achievement cements Alcaraz’s place among tennis’ all-time greats — not just as a rising star but as a player already producing numbers worthy of legend status. His ability to sustain form across surfaces and continents mirrors the kind of mastery only the sport’s elite have achieved.
How Carlos Alcaraz compares to the greatest runs in tennis history
While Carlos Alcaraz’s nine consecutive finals are historic, several legends of the game have gone even further. In the Open Era, only six men have managed to reach 10 or more consecutive finals, showcasing just how rare this accomplishment is.
John McEnroe achieved 11 straight finals during his dominant run between 1983 and 1984, while Bjorn Borg and Guillermo Vilas share fourth place with 13 consecutive finals each. Then come two of the Big Three — Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer — who both reached a staggering 17 consecutive finals, a mark that still stands among the sport’s most unbreakable records.
However, the undisputed leader remains Ivan Lendl, whose astonishing run of 18 consecutive finals between 1981 and 1982 continues to define the pinnacle of consistency in men’s tennis.