Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam after winning his first Australian Open title by beating Novak Djokovic in four series.
After Djokovic won the first set 6-2 at Melbourne Park, Alcaraz came back strongly to win the next three sets, including a nail-biting fourth set that the Spaniard ultimately edged 7-5 despite a spirited display from his opponent.
Djokovic, 16 years Alcaraz’s senior, remains on 24 Grand Slams as his bid to surpass Margaret Court’s record for most major wins of all time continues.
Alcaraz fell to the court in delight after sealing a 2-6 6-2 6-3 7-5 victory in Melbourne, capping a dramatic Australian Open final.
The Spaniard was put under pressure from the start as Djokovic relied on his experience to take control of the first set.
However, Alcaraz gradually asserted himself from the baseline, raising his level as the match progressed and eventually wearing down the fourth-seeded Serb to claim his seventh Grand Slam crown.
The victory places Alcaraz among an elite group, making him just the ninth man in history to win all major titles in Melbourne, Paris, London and New York.
Djokovic’s quest for a record 25th Grand Slam title continues. He remains tied with Australian Margaret Court, who was present at the Rod Laver Arena, after her triumph at the 2023 US Open.
As he approaches the latter stages of his career, Djokovic’s opportunities to further cement his claim as the sport’s greatest player may become increasingly limited.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz and Italian Jannik Sinner have established themselves as the leading figures in men’s tennis over the past two seasons.
Alcaraz’s breakthrough success on Melbourne’s hard courts means the duo now share the last nine major titles.
