Carlos Alcaraz is the youngest man ever to complete a career Grand Slam after securing the Australian Open title against Novak Djokovic, who had never lost in his 10 previous finals at Melbourne Park.

Top-ranked Alcaraz dropped the first set on Sunday as Djokovic made a tough start in pursuit of a record 25th major title, but dug deep to win 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5.

On leaving the court, he signed himself in the TV camera lens as a sign of recognition: “Job completed. 4/4 Complete.”

The 22-year-old Spaniard was trying to return shots that would normally have been winners for Djokovic, and continued to put intense pressure on his 38-year-old opponent. There were extended rallies where each player hit enough brilliant shots to usually win the game, with neither player willing to give up an inch or concede.

After securing the win, Alcaraz dropped the racket from his hand and fell to the ground on his back, hands on his head.

He stayed there for a few seconds before going to the net to shake Djokovic’s hand. Both players exchanged a few words, and Djokovic congratulated Alcaraz with a smile. The new champion then ran to hug his coaches in the chairs next to the field, and later to his dad and other team members in the stands.

After paying tribute to Djokovic as an inspiration, Alcaraz turned to his support team. He parted ways with longtime coach Juan Carlos Ferrer at the end of last season, and Samuel Lopez came to head the team.

“Nobody knows how hard I worked to get this trophy. I chased this moment so much,” Alcaraz said. The preseason was a bit of an emotional whirlwind.

“We just did the right work, every day you made me do all the right things,” he added. “I’m really thankful for everyone I have in my corner right now.”

Đoković joked about this showdown setting up a rivalry with Alcaraz for the next 10 years, but then said that it was only right to leave the floor to the new champion.

“First and foremost, congratulations on an excellent tournament and an incredible few weeks,” Djokovic said at the presentation of the trophy. “What you’ve done, the best word to describe it is historic, legendary, so congratulations. I wish you the best of luck in the rest of your career.”

Both players were coming off grueling five-set semifinal victories and displayed phenomenal fitness, athleticism and stamina for just over three hours in pursuit of their own historic achievements.

No player was willing to give up on big points – and there were a lot of them. In the end, Alcaraz managed to convert 5 of the 16 break points he set. Djokovic converted two of his six.

Djokovic’s bid for an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam singles title has now been blocked by either Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner at nine majors.

Djokovic got the better of Sinner in the semifinals and was aiming to be the oldest man to win a Grand Slam title in the Open era, but he didn’t quite make it against Alcaraz.

Rafa in the house

Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have played some epic matches, including the longest match ever at the Australian Open in a five-set final that lasted nearly six hours in 2012.

Nadal watched from the stands on Sunday night, and both players addressed the 22-time major winner.

“I want to talk to the legendary Rafa, who is in the stands,” Djokovic said. “Obviously it’s very strange to see you over there and not here, you know?

“But thank you for being there. There are too many Spanish legends… It seemed like two against one tonight, you know, it wasn’t fair, but OK.”

Alcaraz said it was a privilege: “I know you guys watched me when I was 15, 14, so it’s been a long time. But, yeah, it’s a great honor for me to play in front of you.”

One for the ages

At 22 years and 272 days, Alcaraz is the youngest man to complete a streak of all four major singles titles. He broke the mark set by Don Budge at the French Championship in 1938, when he was 22 years and 363 days old.

Alcaraz now has seven major titles – his first in Australia along with two each at Wimbledon and the French and US Opens.

He is the ninth man to win a career Grand Slam, a list that also includes Djokovic, Nadal and Roger Federer.