Carlos Alcaraz beats Novak Djokovic within the Australian Open ultimate to finish a profession Grand Slam at age 22
Carlos Alcaraz takes a selfie with followers on the Australian Open. Picture: AFP
Carlos Alcaraz has rewritten tennis historical past by turning into the youngest man ever to finish a profession Grand Slam after an epic victory over Novak Djokovic within the males’s ultimate on the 2026 Australian Open in Melbourne. The 22‑yr‑previous Spaniard fought again from dropping the primary set to beat the 38‑yr‑previous Serbian legend in 4 units 2‑6, 6‑2, 6‑3, 7‑5, including the one main title that had beforehand eluded him and securing all 4 Grand Slam trophies earlier than his twenty third birthday.
Alcaraz’s win at Rod Laver Area not solely marked his first Australian Open title and his seventh main total but in addition set a brand new file as he accomplished the profession Grand Slam youthful than any man in tennis historical past. He surpassed the many years‑previous mark first set by Don Budge in 1938, attaining the feat at 22 years and 272 days.
The ultimate was a gathering of generations, pitting the world primary towards one of many sport’s most adorned champions. Djokovic, who had been unbeaten in ten earlier Australian Open finals, was searching for an unprecedented twenty fifth Grand Slam singles title however was unable to take care of his early momentum after taking the primary set. Regardless of the loss, Djokovic’s presence in one other main ultimate highlighted his enduring excellence within the sport.
Followers rapidly flooded social media and dialogue boards with reward for Alcaraz and admiration for his efficiency below stress. Some feedback famous that Alcaraz’s win saved Djokovic from making historical past with 25 main titles, including intrigue to each gamers’ legacies.
Observers additionally pointed to Alcaraz’s resilience all through the match. He dropped solely a handful of units on the best way to the ultimate, together with a grueling 5‑hour semifinal match earlier than Friday that examined his bodily and psychological stamina. His comeback within the ultimate after dropping the opening set underlined his capability to adapt and elevate his sport towards the perfect competitors.
Within the trophy ceremony moments after his historic win, Alcaraz spoke about what the achievement meant to him and acknowledged the affect of tennis greats he grew up watching. Finishing the Grand Slam set earlier than the age of 23 has positioned him among the many sport’s elite, alongside gamers like Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Djokovic himself, who’ve every reached the identical milestone later of their careers.
The victory additionally sparked conversations about the way forward for males’s tennis. With Alcaraz now firmly established because the dominant power within the sport and Djokovic persevering with to compete at an elite degree regardless of his age, followers and analysts alike are speculating about what number of extra majors the younger champion would possibly seize and whether or not he would possibly sooner or later problem all‑time data.
As celebrations proceed throughout the tennis world, Alcaraz’s historic second in Melbourne will probably be remembered as a defining milestone in a profession that has already reached outstanding heights by the age of twenty-two.
