Carlos Alcaraz has rewritten tennis historical past by turning into the youngest man to finish the profession Grand Slam along with his victory over the good Novak Djokovic within the remaining of the Australian Open 2026 in Melbourne.
Alcaraz, 22, overcame a first-set loss to finish a 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 conquer the 24-time Grand Slam champion on the Rod Laver Enviornment on Sunday. Within the course of, he denied the 38-year-old an opportunity to turn out to be the one participant with 25 Slam titles.
Whereas the world primary later admitted his “legs had been shaking” as he served for the title, he appeared to have the higher hand because the match wore on and completed after three hours and two minutes.
The highest seed now has an Australian Open trophy so as to add to his two French Open, Wimbledon and US Open titles every, additionally making him the youngest to garner seven Slams.
Djokovic, from Serbia and a 10-time champion in Australia, was the faster of the 2 out of the blocks and broke his youthful rival twice to swiftly declare the opening set.
However Alcaraz, of Spain, didn’t waste time in pulling again and claiming the second set with the identical scoreline in a show of pace, energy and finesse.
In breaking the profession Slam file, Alcaraz surpassed his idol and compatriot Rafael Nadal – who watched from the stands and who was two years older when he did the identical.
It was a primary defeat for Djokovic in a Melbourne remaining after he gained all 10 beforehand, leaving him nonetheless trying to find a landmark twenty fifth main to higher Australia’s Margaret Courtroom, who was additionally watching on.
Gladiatorial contest
Both men battled through five long sets in their semifinals, Alcaraz against Alexander Zverev and Djokovic against Jannik Sinner, and recovery was always going to be key after their physical struggles.
But they showed few signs of fatigue in another gladiatorial contest.
They both opened with comfortable holds before a double fault and netted forehand presented the first break point chance for Djokovic at 2-1.
Alcaraz saved it, but the aggressive fourth seed kept pressing and converted on his third, then consolidated for a 4-1 lead.
Djokovic was reading Alcaraz’s serve well, and once he got in the rallies, he was authoritative, with a sensational forehand winner earning him two set points.
He claimed the set in a statement 33 minutes after a ninth unforced error from the top seed, having dominated the big moments.
It was vintage Djokovic, but Alcaraz came storming back, upping the tempo to break for 2-1 in the second set, pumping his fist when he saved a break point and held in the next game.
Djokovic put drops to his eyes and began rubbing them, unable to tame a now rampant Alcaraz, who broke again for 5-2.
There were some sensational rallies that had the crowd on their feet in set three, which went with serve until Djokovic slapped a forehand wide under pressure to slip 2-3 behind.
He gamely saved four set points at 3-5, but, with his energy level dropping, was unable to save a fifth as the Spaniard took control.
On the back foot, Djokovic then saved six break points in an 11-minute opening service game in set four to stay alive and kept fighting hard.
But Alcaraz ground him down and pounced as Djokovic served to stay in the match to seal a maiden Australian championship.
It ensured he remained world number one and Sinner two, with Djokovic moving up a place to three ahead of Zverev.
Australian Open win ‘means the world’ to Alcaraz
Regardless of his heartbreaking loss, Djokovic was gracious in defeat as he walked across the internet to congratulate Alcaraz on his aspect of the court docket.
Loads of pats on the again and smiles had been exchanged in a passing-of-the-baton second between the 2 tennis icons.
Afterwards, Alcaraz advised the host broadcasters that his legs had been shaking as he served for the championship.
“I used to be telling myself, a minimum of put it [the serve] in after which let’s see what occurs,” the champion mentioned with amusing.
The person from Murcia, southeastern Spain, mentioned the elusive win in Australia was one thing he had been working onerous for.
“It means the world to me and exhibits that every one the onerous work paid off,” he mentioned.
Alcaraz’s seventh Slam put him alongside John McEnroe and Mats Wilander and one behind Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl.
Nonetheless, the younger champion was fast to dismiss speak of overtaking his heroes Nadal and Djokovic, and mentioned 22 or 24 titles had been “too far-off” in the intervening time.
“I understand how tough it’s to win a Grand Slam,” he mentioned. “I do know what it takes, so I simply wish to take pleasure in each as a result of I don’t know if it’s going to be my final one.
“I wish to maintain going and dealing onerous to really feel this emotion once more.”
In the meantime, Djokovic didn’t make any specific statements on his profession however did admit he’s unsure whether or not he’ll return to Melbourne for subsequent 12 months’s Australian Open.
“I attempted to provide it again with good tennis over time. That is my twenty second 12 months coming to Australia,” he mentioned on the presentation ceremony.
The Serb mentioned he didn’t suppose he’d be “standing on a Grand Slam remaining podium once more”.
“God is aware of what occurs tomorrow, not to mention in six or 12 months,” the 2023 champion mentioned.
“It has been an excellent trip, and I like you guys.”
