Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic on Sunday to claim his maiden Australian Open title, becoming the youngest man ever to complete a career Grand Slam and blocking the Serbian from securing a historic 25th major crown.
After dropping the opening set, the 22-year-old Spaniard took control on Rod Laver Arena to beat the 38-year-old 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5, sealing his seventh Grand Slam title and confirming his status as the undisputed world number one.
With the victory, Alcaraz became the youngest man of the Open era to win all four majors, adding the Australian Open to the two Wimbledon titles and the French and US Open crowns he already held.
He achieved the feat two years younger than compatriot Rafael Nadal, who was present in the stands to witness the moment.
The seventh Slam places Alcaraz alongside John McEnroe and Mats Wilander on the all-time list, leaving him one behind Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl.
For Djokovic, it marked a rare disappointment in Melbourne, where he had won all 10 of his previous finals. The loss means he remains level with Margaret Court on 24 majors, with the Australian legend also watching from centre court.
Djokovic had been bidding to become the oldest men’s singles Grand Slam champion, having last lifted a major trophy at the 2023 US Open. Since then, Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have dominated the biggest prizes.
Both finalists had endured demanding five-set semi-finals — Alcaraz overcoming Alexander Zverev and Djokovic battling past Sinner — raising questions over recovery, but neither showed obvious signs of fatigue early on.
After a series of comfortable opening holds, a double fault and a forehand error from Alcaraz gave Djokovic a break-point chance at 2-1. Although Alcaraz saved it, the fourth seed maintained the pressure, converting on his third opportunity and consolidating for a 4-1 lead.
Djokovic was reading the Spaniard’s serve superbly and dictating from the baseline, producing a stunning forehand winner to earn two set points. He closed out the opener in 33 minutes after Alcaraz’s ninth unforced error.
Alcaraz responded emphatically, increasing the tempo to break for 2-1 in the second set. He celebrated holding serve after saving a break point and surged further ahead as Djokovic struggled, even stopping to put drops in his eyes before being broken again for 5-2.
The third set featured breathtaking rallies that brought the crowd to its feet. It remained on serve until Djokovic pushed a forehand wide under pressure to fall behind 3-2. He saved four set points at 3-5, but Alcaraz eventually converted a fifth to take the set.
Under sustained pressure, Djokovic fought to stay alive in the fourth, saving six break points during an 11-minute opening service game. However, Alcaraz continued to grind him down and finally broke as Djokovic served to remain in the match, sealing the title.
The result keeps Alcaraz at world number one, with Sinner second and Djokovic moving up to third ahead of Zverev.
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