Carlos Alcaraz made tennis history by becoming the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam by defeating the great Novak Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open final in Melbourne.
The 22-year-old Alcaraz overcame a first-set loss on Sunday at Rod Laver Arena to beat the 24-time Grand Slam champion 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5. In the process, he denied the 38-year-old the chance to become the only player with 25 major championships.
The world number one later admitted he was “shaking in my legs” trying to win the title, but appeared to have the upper hand as the match progressed, finishing in three hours and two minutes.
The top seed has two titles each at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open, as well as the Australian Open trophy, making him the youngest player to win seven major tournaments.
Djokovic, a native of Serbia and a 10-time champion in Australia, was the quicker of the two to get out of the blocks, breaking his younger rival twice and quickly taking the first set.
But Spain’s Alcaraz wasted no time, displaying speed, power and finesse to take the second set with the same scoreline.
Alcaraz watched from the stands as he broke the all-time major tournament record, surpassing his admired compatriot Rafael Nadal, who is two years older, when he achieved the same record.
It was the first loss in the Melbourne final for Djokovic, who had won all 10 matches and is still searching for a landmark 25th major victory over Australian Margaret Court, who was also watching.
gladiator contest
In the semi-finals, Alcaraz vs. Alexander Zverev and Djokovic vs. Jannik Sinner, both players fought through five long sets and recovery was always the key after physical battles.
However, in another gladiatorial match they showed little sign of fatigue.
Both players opened with comfortable holds before double faulting and netting a forehand, giving Djokovic his first break point opportunity at 2-1.
Alcaraz made the save, but the aggressive fourth seed continued to press and nailed his third to solidify his 4-1 lead.
Djokovic read Alcaraz’s serve well and displayed authority as he entered the rally, earning two set points with sensational forehand winners.
He dominated the key moments and announced he had taken the set with a statement 33 minutes after the No. 1 seed’s ninth unforced error.
It was vintage Djokovic, but Alcaraz came back strong, picking up the tempo in the second set to break at 2-1 and pumping his fists as he fought off a break point and held the next game.
Djokovic poured medicine into his eyes and began rubbing them, but he was unable to tame Alcaraz’s rampage, and Alcaraz broke again to go 5-2.
There were some sensational rallies in the third set that had the crowd on their feet, with Djokovic serving until he came under pressure and smashed a forehand wide to slide to 2-3 behind.
He deftly saved four set points at 3-5, but was unable to save the fifth as his fitness level declined and the Spaniard took the initiative.
Djokovic continued to fight hard, saving six break points in the 11-minute first service game of the fourth set to survive.
But as Djokovic stayed in the match on serve and clinched his first Australian Open title, Alcaraz grounded Djokovic and pounced on him.
This ensured that Djokovic would remain No. 1 in the world rankings, Sinner would remain No. 2, and Djokovic would move up to No. 3, ahead of Zverev.
For Alcaraz, winning the Australian Open ‘means the world’
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Djokovic accepted the loss gracefully and walked around the net to congratulate Alcaraz on his side of the court.
There were plenty of pats on the back and smiles exchanged at the moment of passing the baton between the two tennis icons.
Alcaraz later told the host broadcaster that his legs were shaking during his championship serve.
“I told myself I’d at least put it in (the serve) and see what happens after that,” the champion said with a laugh.
The native of Murcia, in southeastern Spain, said his elusive victory in Australia was a result of hard work.
“This means the world to me and shows that all the hard work has paid off,” he said.
Alcaraz’s seventh appearance in the tournament puts him in line with John McEnroe and Mats Wilander, and one place behind Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl.
However, the young champion quickly dismissed talk of overtaking his heroes Nadal and Djokovic, saying 22 or 24 titles were “too far away” at the moment.
“I know how difficult it is to win a Grand Slam,” he said. “I know what it takes and I want to enjoy each one because I don’t know if it will be my last.
“I will continue to do my best so that I can feel this excitement once again. ”
Meanwhile, Djokovic did not make any definitive statements about his career, but admitted he was unsure whether he would return to Melbourne for next year’s Australian Open.
“For many years I have tried to give back with good tennis. This is my 22nd year coming to Australia,” he said at the presentation ceremony.
The Serbian player said he never thought he would “stand on the podium of a Grand Slam final again”.
“God knows what’s going to happen tomorrow, let alone six months or 12 months from now,” the 2023 champion said.
“It’s been an amazing journey and I love you all.”
