Carlos Alcaraz did not just win the Australian Open on Sunday; he redrew tennis history.
The Spaniard swept past Novak Djokovic in a four-set classic on Rod Laver Arena to claim his maiden Australian Open crown, becoming the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam, and denying the Serbian legend a record-breaking 25th major title.
After a sluggish start, Alcaraz flipped the script with ruthless authority, dismissing the 38-year-old Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 to lift his seventh Grand Slam trophy and cement his status as the undisputed world No. 1.
In doing so, the 22-year-old became the youngest man in the Open era to win all four majors, adding Melbourne Park to his growing collection from Wimbledon and the French and US Opens, where he already owns two titles apiece.
He surpassed Rafael Nadal, his childhood idol and countryman, who was in the stands to witness the moment. Nadal was two years older when he completed his own career Grand Slam.
Alcaraz’s seventh major places him alongside John McEnroe and Mats Wilander on the all-time list, and just one behind Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors, and Ivan Lendl; remarkable company for a player barely out of his teens.
[Credit: Australian Open on X]
For Djokovic, it was unfamiliar territory. The Serbian was contesting his 11th Australian Open final and had won all previous 10. This defeat leaves him still searching for a historic 25th Grand Slam title that would move him clear of Margaret Court, who was also watching from centre court.
Djokovic, aiming to become the oldest men’s Grand Slam champion in history, last lifted a major at the 2023 US Open. Since then, Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have seized control of the sport’s biggest stages.
Both finalists arrived bruised from five-set semifinal marathons, Alcaraz edging Alexander Zverev, Djokovic falling to Sinner, and recovery was always going to be decisive. Yet fatigue barely registered in another gladiatorial duel.
Djokovic struck first, reading Alcaraz’s serve brilliantly and capitalising on errors to take the opening set in 33 minutes, a reminder of his enduring mastery on the Melbourne hard courts.
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But Alcaraz responded with intent. He raised the tempo, broke early in the second set, and never allowed Djokovic to regain rhythm. As rallies lengthened and intensity surged, the Spaniard’s youth, speed, and shot-making began to tell.
By the third set, Djokovic was under sustained pressure, saving four set points before finally surrendering control. He showed defiance in the fourth, surviving an 11-minute opening service game and multiple break points, but Alcaraz kept coming.
When Djokovic served to stay in the match, the Spaniard pounced, sealing victory and a first Australian Open title that confirms a generational shift at the top of men’s tennis.
The result keeps Alcaraz world No. 1, with Sinner second and Djokovic moving up to third ahead of Zverev.
Carlos Alcaraz’s path to his first Australian Open title:
1st round: bt Adam Walton (AUS) 6-3, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2
2nd round: bt Yannick Hanfmann (GER) 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 6-2
3rd round: bt Corentin Moutet (FRA x32) 6-2, 6-4, 6-1
4th round: bt Tommy Paul (USA x19) 7-6 (8/6), 6-4, 7-5
Quarter-final: bt Alex de Minaur (AUS x6) 7-5, 6-2, 6-1
Semi-final: bt Alexander Zverev (GER x3) 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (3/7), 6-7 (4/7), 7-5
Final: bt Novak Djokovic (SRB x4) 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5
At 22, Alcaraz is no longer chasing the future of tennis. He owns it.
