Carlos Alcaraz makes tennis history with Australian Open title win over Novak Djokovic

2026-02-02 - 16:19

Sources: Al Jazeera, Sky Sports, Fox News. World No 1 Carlos Alcaraz completed a career Grand Slam – winning all four major singles title – at the age of 22 with a four-set victory over Novak Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open final. He has rewritten tennis history by becoming the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam. Alcaraz overcame a first-set loss to complete a 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 triumph over the 24-time Grand Slam champion at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on Sunday. In the process, he denied the 38-year-old a chance to become the only player with 25 Slam titles. While the world number one later admitted his “legs were shaking” as he served for the title, he seemed to have the upper hand as the match wore on and finished after three hours and two minutes. The top seed now has an Australian Open trophy to add to his two French Open, Wimbledon and US Open titles each, also making him the youngest to garner seven Slams. Djokovic, from Serbia and a 10-time champion in Australia, was the quicker of the two out of the blocks and broke his younger rival twice to swiftly claim the opening set. But Alcaraz, of Spain, didn’t waste time in pulling back and claiming the second set with the same scoreline in a display of speed, power and finesse. In breaking the career Slam record, Alcaraz surpassed his idol and compatriot Rafael Nadal – who watched from the stands and who was two years older when he did the same. Greenology is Samoa’s leading provider of ICT Solutions! It was a first defeat for Djokovic in a Melbourne final after he won all 10 previously, leaving him still searching for a landmark 25th major to better Australia’s Margaret Court, who was also watching on. ” alt=”” aria-hidden=”true” /> Tennis champion Carlos Alcaraz celebrates his victory at the Australian Open [Darrian Traynor/Getty Images) Gladiatorial contest Both men battled through five long sets in their semifinals, Alcaraz against Alexander Zverev and Djokovic against Jannik Sinner, and recovery was always going to be key after their physical struggles. But they showed few signs of fatigue in another gladiatorial contest. They both opened with comfortable holds before a double fault and netted forehand presented the first break point chance for Djokovic at 2-1. Alcaraz saved it, but the aggressive fourth seed kept pressing and converted on his third, then consolidated for a 4-1 lead. Djokovic was reading Alcaraz’s serve well, and once he got in the rallies, he was authoritative, with a sensational forehand winner earning him two set points. He claimed the set in a statement 33 minutes after a ninth unforced error from the top seed, having dominated the big moments. It was vintage Djokovic, but Alcaraz came storming back, upping the tempo to break for 2-1 in the second set, pumping his fist when he saved a break point and held in the next game. Djokovic put drops to his eyes and began rubbing them, unable to tame a now rampant Alcaraz, who broke again for 5-2. There were some sensational rallies that had the crowd on their feet in set three, which went with serve until Djokovic slapped a forehand wide under pressure to slip 2-3 behind. He gamely saved four set points at 3-5, but, with his energy level dropping, was unable to save a fifth as the Spaniard took control. On the back foot, Djokovic then saved six break points in an 11-minute opening service game in set four to stay alive and kept fighting hard. But Alcaraz ground him down and pounced as Djokovic served to stay in the match to seal a maiden Australian championship. It ensured he remained world number one and Sinner two, with Djokovic moving up a place to three ahead of Zverev.