Carlos Alcaraz swept past Novak Djokovic to claim his first Australian Open title on Sunday, becoming the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam and denying the Serbian great an unprecedented 25th major.
After a slow start on Rod Laver Arena, the 22-year-old Spaniard took control to defeat the 38-year-old Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5, sealing a seventh Grand Slam title and cementing his status as the undisputed world number one.
Alcaraz is now the youngest man in the Open era to win all four majors, adding the Australian Open to his two titles each at Wimbledon and the French and US Opens. He eclipsed compatriot Rafael Nadal, watching from the stands who was 24 when he completed the same feat.
His seventh major title draws him level with John McEnroe and Mats Wilander, and one behind Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl.
“Lifting the trophy for the first time in Australia was crazy,” Alcaraz said, later writing on a TV camera lens: “Job finished. Four out of four complete.”
“A dream come true,” he added. “I dreamt about winning the Australian Open and completing the career Grand Slam.”
Alcaraz paid tribute to Djokovic, whose pursuit of a record-breaking 25th major continues.
“You were talking about how I’m doing the things I am, but what you’re doing is really inspiring, not only for tennis players, but for athletes around the world,” he said.
It was Djokovic’s first defeat in a Melbourne final, having won all 10 of his previous appearances. The Serb remains tied with Margaret Court on 24 Grand Slam singles titles, with the Australian legend also present courtside.
Djokovic, who last lifted a major trophy at the 2023 US Open, has since seen Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner dominate the sport.
“I must be very honest and say that I didn’t think I would be standing at the closing ceremony of a Grand Slam again,” Djokovic told the crowd. “So I owe you gratitude for pushing me forward over the last couple of weeks.”
He hinted that this might be his final appearance at Melbourne Park.
“God knows what happens tomorrow, let alone in six months or 12 months, so it has been a great ride,” he said.
Djokovic also joked with Nadal in the stands: “There are too many Spanish legends. I felt like I was one against two tonight. It’s not fair.”
Fighting fatigue
Both players entered the final after gruelling five-set semi-finals, Alcaraz against Alexander Zverev and Djokovic against Sinner, making recovery a key factor. Yet neither showed early signs of fatigue in another gladiatorial contest.
They traded comfortable opening holds before Djokovic earned the first break-point opportunity at 2-1. Alcaraz saved it, but the Serb’s pressure told on the third chance as he broke for a 4-1 lead and closed out the set in 33 minutes, dominating the big moments with trademark precision.
Alcaraz responded by raising his intensity, breaking early in the second set and roaring in celebration after saving a break point to consolidate. Djokovic, struggling with his eyes and applying drops, could not halt the Spaniard’s momentum as Alcaraz broke again to level the match.
Set three was marked by breathtaking rallies, with the crowd on its feet, before Djokovic blinked under pressure to fall behind 3-2. He saved four set points at 3-5 but could not fend off a fifth as his energy began to dip.
Djokovic showed trademark resilience in the fourth set, saving six break points in an 11-minute opening service game. But Alcaraz continued to grind him down and finally broke as Djokovic served to stay in the match, sealing a famous victory.
The win keeps Alcaraz atop the rankings, with Sinner second and Djokovic moving up one place to third.
