Carlos Alcaraz rewrote tennis history by becoming the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam when he defeated the great Novak Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open final in Melbourne.

The 22-year-old Alcaraz overcame a first-set deficit to beat the 24-time Grand Slam champion 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 on Sunday at Rod Laver Arena, in which the 38-year-old Alcaraz missed the chance to become the only player with 25 Grand Slam titles.

Although the world number one later admitted that his “legs were shaking” as he battled for the title, he seemed to have the upper hand as the match wore on and ended after three hours and two minutes.

The top seed now has an Australian Open trophy on top of his two French Open, Wimbledon and US Open titles, making him the youngest player to win seven Grand Slams.

Australia’s ten-time champion Djokovic was the faster of the two, breaking his younger opponent twice to quickly take the first set.

The Spaniard wasted no time in clawing his way back and took the second set with the same scoreline, displaying speed, power and skill.

In breaking the career Grand Slam record, Alcaraz surpassed his idol and compatriot Rafael Nadal (who was watching from the stands), who is two years his senior.

It was Djokovic’s first loss in the Melbourne final, having won all 10 of his previous matches, leaving him still looking for a landmark 25th major to overtake Australia’s Margaret Court, who was also watching.

gladiatorial games

Both men played five long sets in the semifinals, Alkaraz against Alexander Zverev and Djokovic against Yannik Sinner, where recovery was always key after their bodies struggled.

But in another gladiatorial match, they showed little sign of fatigue.

Both men maintained comfortable control of the ball at the beginning, and then made a double fault and hit the net with their forehand, giving Djokovic the first break opportunity, and the score was 2-1.

Alcaraz saved the ball, but the aggressive fourth seed kept the pressure on and converted on the third before cementing a 4-1 lead.

Djokovic read Alcaraz’s serve well and was authoritative once he got into the match, hitting a brilliant forehand winner to earn him two set points.

He took the set with a 33rd-minute statement after the top seed made his ninth unforced error and dominated the big moments.

It was typical Djokovic, but Alcaraz fought back, upping the tempo to break at 2-1 in the second set and pumping his fist as he saved a break point and secured the next game.

Djokovic put on a few drops of eye drops and started rubbing his eyes, but he could not tame the now rampant Alcaraz, who broke serve again to lead 5-2.

The third set featured some exciting confrontations that had the crowd on its feet until Djokovic missed a forehand under pressure to trail 3-2.

He tenaciously saved four set points at 3-5, but due to his declining physical strength, the Spaniard took control of the game and he was unable to save the fifth set point.

Djokovic saved six break points in an 11-minute service game at the start of the fourth set and continued to fight.

But Alcaraz knocked him down and pounced, and Djokovic stayed in the match to seal a first Australian title.

This ensures that he retains his position as world No. 1 and Sinner No. 2, while Djokovic moves into third ahead of Zverev.

Australian Open win ‘means the world’ to Alcaraz

Despite the heartbreaking defeat, Djokovic remained graceful in defeat, going around the net to congratulate Alcaraz on the court.

People patted each other on the back and smiled as the two tennis icons passed the baton.

Afterwards, Alcaraz told the streamers that his legs were shaking as he fought for the title.

“I told myself, at least put it (the serve) in and let’s see what happens,” the champion said with a smile.

The man from Murcia in southeastern Spain said the elusive win in Australia was something he had been working towards.

“It means the world to me and shows that all the hard work pays off,” he said.

Alcaraz’s seventh Grand Slam puts him level with John McEnroe and Mats Wilander and behind Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl.

However, the young champion was quick to dismiss claims of surpassing his heroes Nadal and Djokovic, saying 22 or 24 titles was currently “too far away”.

“I know how difficult it is to win a Grand Slam, I know what it takes, so I just want to enjoy every Grand Slam because I don’t know if it will be my last one.

“I want to keep trying to feel this emotion again. “

Djokovic, meanwhile, has not made any clear statements about his career but admitted he is unsure whether he will return to Melbourne for next year’s Australian Open.

“I have tried to repay it with great tennis over the years and this is my 22nd year in Australia,” he said at the award ceremony.

The Serbian said he did not think he would “stand on the podium in a Grand Slam final again”.

“God knows what will happen tomorrow, let alone six months or 12 months from now,” the 2023 champion said.

“It’s been a great ride and I love you guys.”