In a stunning display of resilience and skill, Carlos Alcaraz etched his name into tennis immortality on Sunday evening, February 1, 2026, by defeating Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final.
The 22-year-old Spaniard overcame an early setback to triumph 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5, securing his first title at the hard-court major and becoming the youngest man in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam—winning all four Grand Slam tournaments.
Alcaraz, the world No. 1, started sluggishly as Djokovic dominated the opening set with aggressive play, breaking serve twice and dropping just two points on his own serve. But the young phenom flipped the script in the second set, breaking Djokovic early and roaring back to level the match. From there, Alcaraz’s baseline prowess and all-court flair took over, highlighted by breathtaking rallies that had the Rod Laver Arena crowd on its feet.
The three-hour, two-minute battle saw Djokovic, the 38-year-old Serbian legend chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title, fight valiantly. He saved six break points in a grueling second game of the fourth set, but Alcaraz broke decisively in the 12th game to seal the victory, tumbling to the court in ecstasy.
“This moment means everything to me,” Alcaraz said during the trophy ceremony. “I’ve worked so hard through a tough preseason, and my team kept me grounded. To share the court with Novak is an honor—he’s an inspiration to athletes everywhere.”
Djokovic, gracious in defeat, praised Alcaraz’s historic achievement: “What you’ve done is legendary. I wish you the best for the rest of your career—you’re so young, like myself.” The loss ended Djokovic’s perfect 10-0 record in Australian Open finals, extending his wait for that elusive 25th major.
With this win, Alcaraz now holds seven Grand Slam titles, tying him with legends like John McEnroe and Mats Wilander. He and rival Jannik Sinner have dominated the majors, claiming the last nine between them since Djokovic’s 2023 US Open victory. Fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal, who completed his own Career Grand Slam at 22 years and seven months, watched from the stands—making Alcaraz the youngest to achieve the feat at 22 years and eight months.
The match was a rematch of their 2025 quarterfinal, where Djokovic prevailed. Now, their head-to-head stands at 5-5, with Alcaraz winning all three Grand Slam finals against the Serb. Despite marathon semifinals—Alcaraz over Alexander Zverev and Djokovic over Sinner—both players delivered high-octane tennis.
Alcaraz’s path to glory included his recent split from longtime coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, adding emotional depth to his triumph. As the ATP Tour looks ahead, this victory cements Alcaraz’s status as the face of the next generation, while Djokovic vows to return stronger.
