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Jake Michaels
Multiple Authors
MELBOURNE, Australia — Carlos Alcaraz has made history as the youngest man to achieve a career Grand Slam, triumphing over Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final, where Djokovic had previously been undefeated in 10 finals at Melbourne Park.
At 22 years and 272 days, Alcaraz displayed no signs of the severe cramping that nearly caused him to falter in his 5½-hour semifinal against Alexander Zverev just two days prior. He convincingly defeated the 24-time Grand Slam champion with a score of 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 in a match lasting 3 hours and 2 minutes.
Upon clinching the championship point, Alcaraz dropped his racket and collapsed onto the court at Rod Laver Arena. He savored the moment for a brief while before shaking hands with Djokovic at the net, then rushing to embrace his coaching team seated courtside and his father in the stands.
“It’s a dream come true for me,” Alcaraz expressed. “Every year I came to Australia, I dreamed of winning the trophy. It never happened; I couldn’t get past the quarterfinals.
“This year, I came back hungry and determined to win the trophy … playing such great tennis throughout the tournament means everything to me.”
Djokovic, 38, began the final with the confidence of a ten-time champion at Melbourne Park. He quickly secured the first set in just 33 minutes, winning 16 of 18 service points and making only four unforced errors.
yet, as the match progressed and the light faded, the momentum began to shift towards Alcaraz.
The Spaniard intensified his play early in the second set, showcasing his remarkable speed and agility, which allowed him to transform defensive plays into offensive opportunities. This forced Djokovic to adopt a more aggressive style, ultimately leading to a total of 46 unforced errors for him by the match’s conclusion.
Alcaraz broke Djokovic’s serve early in the third game and won 12 of the last 15 points in the second set to level the match. He continued to build on this momentum in the third set, where he again secured an early break and maintained control throughout, even as Djokovic fought desperately to regain the advantage.
Djokovic made one final effort in the fourth set, forcing a deuce at 40-40 while Alcaraz was serving at 4-4. yet, Alcaraz immediately countered with two confidently executed crosscourt forehands that quelled Djokovic’s late challenge.
“I lost to a world No. 1 and an already legendary player,” Djokovic reflected on Alcaraz. “He’s always innovating himself and his game. At just 22, everything is possible for him, without a doubt. I can’t think of any more superlatives to describe him.”
With this victory, Alcaraz claimed his seventh Grand Slam title, adding to his tally of two each from the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. He stands as the only male athlete to achieve seven Grand Slam titles before turning 23.
As he exited the court, Alcaraz signed the camera lens with a statement: “Job finished. 4/4 Complete.”
Alcaraz now joins Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andre Agassi, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Don Budge, Fred Perry, and Rafael Nadal—who was present in the front row for the final—as the only men in tennis history to win all four major titles. Alcaraz is the youngest to achieve this milestone, surpassing Budge’s record set at the 1938 French Championships at 22 years and 363 days.
“It’s an honor for me to embed my name in history,” Alcaraz stated. “I realize I’m making history with these trophies and achievements. Sometimes, you don’t pause to reflect on your journey. Right now, I’m taking time to appreciate what I’ve accomplished.”
Prior to Sunday, Djokovic boasted a remarkable 93-2 record at the Australian Open after winning the first set. He was also a perfect 10 for 10 in finals at Melbourne Park, aiming to become the oldest man to secure a Grand Slam title.
He was in pursuit of a record-extending 25th major title, which would have surpassed the historic mark he shares with Margaret Court. Instead, he faced defeat against Alcaraz for the third consecutive time in a Grand Slam final and the fourth match in a row since his gold medal victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“A single shot can alter the momentum of the match, which is what happened,” Djokovic reflected. “I’m truly disappointed I couldn’t maintain the level I had in the first set. I felt great, and then … well, things shifted. It’s part of the sport.
“It’s an incredible achievement for me to compete in finals and be just a couple of sets away from winning a championship. I managed to defeat Jannik [Sinner], the two-time defending champion here and who had won the past five matches against me, in five sets. It was an incredible match.
“I knew I might need to defeat two of them to win the title. I succeeded in beating one, which is great, and it’s a step forward from my performance in Grand Slams last year. It’s encouraging … but not sufficient for me. I’ll keep pushing for another opportunity.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
