MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - Carlos Alcaraz, at only 22 years old, has made history as the youngest man to win all four major tennis titles, achieving a career Grand Slam in Australia. In a thrilling Australian Open final on Sunday, February 1, 2026, Alcaraz faced off against seasoned champion Novak Djokovic, who was vying for an unprecedented 25th major title. The match proved to be a fierce battle, with Alcaraz ultimately winning 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 after losing the first set in just 33 minutes.
Alcaraz expressed the magnitude of his victory by stating, "Means the world to me. It is a dream come true for me." Djokovic, who had previously won all 10 of his finals at Melbourne Park, was poised to extend that streak. However, Alcaraz rose to the occasion, showcasing exceptional resilience and athleticism throughout the match.
Following a slow start, Alcaraz gained momentum after Djokovic committed a few unforced errors in the second set. He displayed remarkable agility, retrieving shots that typically would have resulted in points for Djokovic, and continuously applied pressure on the 38-year-old Serbian. The match featured numerous extended rallies where both players executed stunning shots, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.
Despite trailing two sets to one, Djokovic demonstrated his trademark ability to rally from challenging positions. In the fourth set, he came perilously close to turning the match in his favor. After battling through six break points, Djokovic rallied the crowd to chant "Nole, Nole, Nole!" as he reached a pivotal 30-30 in the ninth game. Even when he earned a breakpoint chance, Djokovic's momentum was stalled when he sent a forehand long. This slip allowed Alcaraz to regroup, and he subsequently seized control, winning two of the next three games to clinch his victory.
As Alcaraz exited the court, he left a heartfelt message by signing the camera lens with the note: "Job finished." At the trophy ceremony, he paid tribute to Djokovic, acknowledging the Serbian legend as a significant inspiration in his career. Following a coaching change after the last season, with Samuel Lopez stepping in as head coach, Alcaraz expressed gratitude to his team, emphasizing the hard work and emotional rollercoaster endured to achieve this monumental win.
Djokovic, in a light-hearted moment, indicated that this match might set the stage for a long-lasting rivalry with Alcaraz, then graciously passed the spotlight to him. He praised Alcaraz’s accomplishments, labeling them as "historic" and "legendary." Both athletes, coming off demanding semifinal matches against Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner, showcased their fitness and endurance, culminating in a match that lasted just over three hours.
This victory marks Alcaraz's seventh major title, joining Wimbledon and the French and U.S. Opens on his impressive resume. At just 22 years and 272 days, he set a new record for the youngest man to accomplish a complete set of Grand Slam victories, breaking the earlier record held by Don Budge since 1938.
The presence of Rafael Nadal in the stands added to the significance of the event. Both players recognized Nadal, with Alcaraz calling him "my idol, my role model," and noting that winning the title in front of him made the achievement even more special. Djokovic humorously noted that the match felt like it was a two-against-one affair with Nadal present, further enriching the narrative of the sport's legacy.
In conclusion, Carlos Alcaraz's victory at the Australian Open not only marks a significant milestone in his career but also emphasizes a shifting dynamic in men's tennis, as he joins the ranks of legends like Djokovic, Nadal, and Roger Federer.
