Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic to win his first Australian Open on Sunday, making history as the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam and depriving the legendary Serbian a record-breaking 25th major.
After a poor start, the Spaniard was imperious as he defeated the 38-year-old 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, and 7-5 on Rod Laver Arena to secure his seventh Slam title and solidify his position as the undisputed world number one. In addition to his two championships from Wimbledon and the French and US Opens, he became the youngest man in the Open era to win all four majors.
At 22, Alcaraz went past legendary compatriot Rafael Nadal — watching from the stands — who was two years older when he achieved the milestone. His seventh Grand Slam title now places him alongside John McEnroe and Mats Wilander, and just one behind Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl.
“It’s an honour to be here in Melbourne every year. Job finished. Four out of four complete. So I just want to say thank you very much for pushing me in the tough moments during the matches,” Alcaraz said, before writing on a TV camera lens and then he paid tribute to Djokovic.
“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 athletes around the world.”
After winning all ten of his previous Melbourne finals, Djokovic’s first loss still left him searching for a historic 25th major to better Margaret Court of Australia, who was also watching from center court.
Last winning a Grand Slam singles championship at the US Open in 2023, Djokovic is aiming to become the oldest guy to do so. Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have divided the spoils ever since.
“I must be very honest and say that I didn’t think I would be standing in the closing ceremony of a Grand Slam again so I owe you the gratitude of pushing me forward in the last couple weeks,” AFP quoted Djokovic as saying, while speaking to the fans in the stadium.
He continued by speculating that this might be his final visit to Melbourne Park as a player and also joked with Nadal in the stands.
“God knows what happens tomorrow, let alone in six months or 12 months, so it has been a great ride. There are too many Spanish legends. I feel like I was one against two tonight. It’s not fair.”
Recuperation was always going to be crucial as both men fought with five lengthy sets in their semifinals, Djokovic versus Sinner and Alcaraz against Alexander Zverev. However, in the gladiatorial final, they shown few signs of exhaustion.
Before a double fault and missed forehand gave Djokovic the first break point opportunity at 2-1, they both began with comfortable holdings. The energetic fourth seed continued to press and converted on his third, consolidating for a 4-1 advantage after Alcaraz saved it.
Djokovic was reading Alcaraz’s serve well, and once he entered the rallies, he was in control. He won two set points with a spectacular forehand. After dominating the crucial moments, he made a statement 33 minutes after the top seed made his ninth unforced error to claim the set.
It was classic Djokovic, but Alcaraz stormed back, picking up the pace to break for 2-1 in the second set and pumping his fist when he held in the following game after saving a break point. Unable to control a now-rampant Alcaraz who broke again for 5-2, Djokovic applied drops to his eyes and started massaging them.
In set three, Djokovic blasted a forehand wide under pressure to fall behind 2-3 after some thrilling rallies had the fans on their feet. At 3-5, he bravely saved four set points, but as his energy waned, he was unable to save a fifth as the Spaniard gained the upper hand.
Then, in an 11-minute opening service game in set four, Djokovic, on the defensive, survived six break points to stay alive and persevered. But when Djokovic served to stay in the set and win his first Australian title, Alcaraz grounded him down and pounced.
With Djokovic rising one spot to three ahead of Zverev, it guaranteed that he would stay at the top of the world rankings and Sinner at number two.
