In a stunning turn of events at the Australian Open, Carlos Alcaraz carved out his own legacy in the annals of tennis history, challenging the dominance of a player who has long made the record books his playground.

The 22-year-old Spanish sensation dismantled Novak Djokovic’s quest for another record, clinching his first Australian Open title and becoming the youngest male player to achieve a career Grand Slam.

Djokovic, on the other hand, was vying for history himself—aiming to be the oldest to win a major title and the first to secure a 25th Grand Slam victory. His journey also included the unprecedented challenge of defeating both Jannik Sinner and Alcaraz in a single Slam.

In a final marked by the widest age disparity since Jimmy Connors and Ken Rosewall battled in 1974, Alcaraz’s youthful vigor and exceptional talent proved overwhelming. The world No. 1 not only claimed a £2.06 million prize but also added a seventh Grand Slam to his growing collection.

While Djokovic’s pursuit of milestones was captivating, Alcaraz’s triumph carried its own profound significance.

Carlos Alcaraz (pictured) defeated Novak Djokovic to be crowned the 2026 Australian Open men’s singles champion

The world No 1 also made history, becoming the youngest ever male Career Grand Slam champion 

Djokovic (pictured) came agonisingly close to winning his 25th Grand Slam title, mounting a late comeback in the fourth set, but would ultimately suffer a 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 defeat

Reflecting on his hard-fought victory, Alcaraz shared, “No one knows how hard I’ve been working. It was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster.”

‘It was not about what people were saying before Australia, we just did the right work. You were pushing me every day to do all the right things, so I’ve got to say I’m really grateful to everyone in my corner. This trophy is always yours.’ 

He is now one of only nine men in history to have won all four majors and has achieved by the age of 22 what for most has been the pinnacle of their careers – just ask Rory McIlroy.

It took Roger Federer 11 years from competing in his first Grand Slam to completing the set; Djokovic 12 years. Alcaraz has done it in six.

Rafael Nadal took eight years and the great leftie was in attendance here – the fiercest rival of one of these finalists and the idol of the other. 

‘I want to speak to the legendary Rafa who is on the stands,’ Djokovic said after the match.’It feels very weird to see you there and not here, but it’s been an honour to share the court with you, and see you watch the finals. It’s an honour. A bit strange, but thank you for being present.’

The Serbian joked: ‘Too many Spanish legends. It was like two against one, it wasn’t fair!’

Alcaraz echoed his sentiment, stating: ‘It’s a little bit weird seeing Rafa in the stands.’ 

Djokovic joked that it was bizarre seeing Rafael Nadal (centre) watching on from the stands

Despite the loss, Djokovic (pictured) hailed Alcaraz’s achievements as ‘legendary’ before joking that the pair will meet again

This was Alcaraz’s seventh Grand Slam, with the 22-year-old having now won two Wimbledon titles, two French Open titles, two US Open titles and now an Australian Open

It is said Melbourne is the city of all four seasons in a single day and – after some sweltering conditions this fortnight – it was distinctly autumnal for the final, at 14°C with wind gusting at up to 40mph. Those slower, less predictable conditions should favour Alcaraz, as it would make it more difficult for Djokovic to play the kind of power-tennis that destabilised Sinner in the semis.

That is what we thought anyway, but a lot of people have thought a lot of things about Djokovic that have been proved wrong. His ball-striking in the first set was flabbergastingly good.

‘No es posible,’ Alcaraz said to his team box in the first set, and while it was difficult to know what he was referring to, it felt impossible for Djokovic to sustain this level – and so it proved.

Djokovic’s serve – so good against Sinner – dipped in the second set and that gave Alcaraz the space to re-centre himself and win a one-sided set of his own.

‘I want to talk about Novak,’ Alcaraz said after the match. ‘I think he deserves an ovation. When you’re talking about how I’m doing amazing things, but what you’re doing is really inspiring. 

‘Not only for tennis players, but for athletes around the world. The hard work, every day, with your team, playing such great tennis. For me, I enjoy so much watching you.’

The roof was then partially closed, a confused Alcaraz seeking an explanation from tournament referee Wayne McKewen. The official reason given was that rain was on its way and they wanted to make sure the roof could be swiftly shut.

Alcaraz ran over to celebrate with his team after the victory, with the Spaniard paying tribute to all those who have helped him claim victory after the match 

It took Roger Federer 11 years from competing in his first Grand Slam to completing the set; Djokovic 12 years. Alcaraz has done it in six

Djokovic’s serve – so good against Sinner – dipped in the second set and that gave Alcaraz the space to re-centre himself and win a one-sided set of his own

In his 11th Australian Open final, Djokovic (left) tasted defeat for the first time. But in doing what he did against Sinner he has proved his chances cannot be discounted in the other three Slams this year

That took the wind out of the equation and Djokovic was able to increase his aggression. 

But Alcaraz, who in the past has looked a little unsure of his gameplan against the great Serb, was beginning to crack the code.

In the Sinner semi-final, Djokovic was able to hold his own in a relentless baseline slugfest: Sinner’s main adjustment when his hard, clean hitting isn’t cutting the mustard is to hit it harder and cleaner.

Alcaraz has more strings to his bow: in fact he has a crossbow and sling-shot as well, and if all else fails he can roll out the trebuchet.

Instead of hitting through Djokovic, he went around him. The great tennis geometrician brought out all the angles to drag his opponent out of shape. 

It is never easy to see much evidence of decline in the physicality of Djokovic but his trademark elasticity at full stretch is not quite so evident and so Alcaraz – that smiling torturer – put him on the rack.

He was also happy to go into defence mode, as he did spectacularly in one extraordinary counter-attacking point which drew a thumbs up from the old master.

In the second game of the fourth set Djokovic faced six break points in what felt like a pivotal moment; lose that and surely he was done. 

He is now one of only nine men in history to have won all four majors and has achieved by the age of 22 what for most has been the pinnacle of their careers

There was a a huge air of respect between the two players as they lumped praise on each other after the match 

After some sweltering conditions this fortnight – it was distinctly autumnal for the final, at 14°C with wind gusting at up to 40mph

Drama unfolded after the second set as Alcaraz (centre) became confused as why Tennis Australia bosses were closing the roof on Rod Laver Arena

Speaking on making his 11th Australian Open final, Djokovic added: ‘I didn’t think I would be standing in the closing ceremony at a Grand Slam again. So I think I owe you the gratitude’

The odds are that Djokovic will remain on 24 Grand Slams, a figure we were convinced no one would ever challenge 

Alcaraz, meanwhile, has 17 Grand Slams to go before he usurps the great Djokovic

Before leaving the court, Alcaraz signed one of the TV cameras at Rod Laver Arena: ‘Job finished 4/4 complete’ 

He held after 12 minutes, restricting himself initially to a wry smile before thinking better of it and launching a massive fist pump towards the Serbian flags in the crowd.

He was geeing up the fans again as he made a push on the Alcaraz serve at 4-4, earning his first break point since the fourth game of the second set. 

But Alcaraz’s superpower in moments like this is his smile: he was grinning away despite the suffocating pressure and that relaxation allows him to soften his hands when a drop shot or deft angle is required. He held with a bellow.

He was geeing up the fans again as he made a push on the Alcaraz serve at 4-4, earning his first break point since the fourth game of the second set. 

But Alcaraz’s superpower in moments like this is his smile: he was grinning away despite the suffocating pressure and that relaxation allows him to soften his hands when a drop shot or deft angle is required. He held with a bellow.

As Djokovic served to stay in the match at 5-6, Alcaraz won a sublime 24-shot rally on the opening point and pushed on from there. In the moment of victory, the history boy collapsed to the court. 

Before we go, we must mention an absent friend: Juan Carlos Ferrero. The coach who has guided Alcaraz from child to champion was dispensed with at the start of the year, with rumours swirling around the Spanish press about disagreements over money matters – as well as speculation over how the player would fare without his mentor. 

In winning his first major without the former world No 1 in his box, Alcaraz has silenced those murmurs.

Back to Djokovic, and in his 11th Australian Open final, he tasted defeat for the first time. But in doing what he did against Sinner he has proved his chances cannot be discounted in the other three Slams this year. The odds are he will remain on 24 Grand Slams, a figure we were convinced no one would ever challenge. 

‘But I must be very honest and say that I didn’t think I would be standing in the closing ceremony at a Grand Slam again,’ Djokovic admitted after the match. ‘So I think I owe you [his fans] the gratitude. God knows what happens tomorrow, let alone in six months or 12 months, but it has been a great ride. I love you guys.’

The odds are he will remain on 24 Grand Slams, a figure we were convinced no one would ever challenge.

And then Carlos Alcaraz came along. Seven down, 17 to go.