Carlos Alcaraz fought back from a set down to defeat Novak Djokovic and win his maiden Australian Open title on Sunday, sealing his place in history as the youngest man in the Open era to complete a career Grand Slam.
The 22-year-old Spaniard overpowered the 38-year-old Serbian 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 in a pulsating final on Rod Laver Arena, claiming his seventh major title and thwarting Djokovic’s quest for an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam.
With the triumph in Melbourne, Alcaraz added the Australian Open to his collection of two Wimbledon titles and two each at the French Open and US Open, reinforcing his grip on the world number one ranking.
He eclipsed his compatriot Rafael Nadal, who was in the stands, as the youngest player to win all four majors. Nadal achieved the feat at 24.
“Winning here for the first time is incredible,” Alcaraz said after the match. “Completing the career Grand Slam is something I’ve dreamed about for a long time.”
He acknowledged Djokovic’s enduring influence, describing the Serbian as an inspiration to athletes around the world.
The defeat ended Djokovic’s perfect record in Australian Open finals, where he had previously won all 10 appearances. The Serbian great remains tied with Margaret Court on 24 Grand Slam titles as he continues his pursuit of a record-breaking 25th.
Djokovic, who last won a major at the 2023 US Open, admitted the journey to the final had already exceeded his expectations.
“I didn’t think I would be standing here again at a Grand Slam final,” he told the crowd, hinting that his future appearances in Melbourne were uncertain.
The final followed physically demanding semi-finals for both players - Alcaraz had outlasted Alexander Zverev, while Djokovic edged Jannik Sinner - but the intensity remained high throughout.
Djokovic started strongly, breaking early and controlling the first set with his trademark baseline precision. However, Alcaraz raised his level in the second set, attacking with greater aggression and forcing errors from the tiring Serbian.
The third set featured long, gripping rallies before Djokovic slipped at a critical moment, allowing Alcaraz to take control.
In a tense fourth set, Djokovic showed resilience by saving multiple break points, but Alcaraz’s relentless pressure eventually paid off as he broke through when Djokovic served to prolong the match.
The victory confirms Alcaraz’s dominance at the top of the men’s game, with Jannik Sinner ranked second and Djokovic third in the latest standings.
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