Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz celebrates with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after winning against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in their men’s singles final match on day fifteen of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on February 1, 2026. (Photo by IZHAR KHAN / AFP) /
Carlos Alcaraz produced a commanding performance to defeat Novak Djokovic and win his maiden Australian Open title on Sunday, becoming the youngest man in history to complete a career Grand Slam and denying the Serbian legend a record-breaking 25th major crown.
The 22-year-old Spaniard recovered from a slow start to beat the 38-year-old Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 on Rod Laver Arena, sealing his seventh Grand Slam title and reinforcing his status as the undisputed world number one.
With the victory, Alcaraz became the youngest man in the Open era to win all four majors, surpassing compatriot Rafael Nadal, who achieved the feat at 24 and was present in the stands to witness the moment.
Reacting after lifting the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup, Alcaraz said, “Lifting the trophy for the first time in Australia was crazy,” before writing on a television camera lens: “Job finished. Four out of four complete.”
He added, “A dream come true. I dreamt about getting an Australian Open and completing the career Grand Slam,” while also paying tribute to his opponent, telling Djokovic, “You were talking about how I’m doing the things I am, but what you’re doing is really inspiring, not only for tennis players but for athletes around the world.”
The defeat marked Djokovic’s first loss in an Australian Open final, having won all 10 of his previous appearances in Melbourne, leaving him still chasing a historic 25th Grand Slam title. Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Serbian great admitted, “I must be very honest and say that I didn’t think I would be standing in the closing ceremony of a Grand Slam again, so I owe you the gratitude of pushing me forward in the last couple of weeks,” before hinting at an uncertain future, saying, “God knows what happens tomorrow, let alone in six months or 12 months, so it has been a great ride.”
Despite both players battling fatigue after gruelling semi-finals, the final delivered another high-quality contest, with Alcaraz raising his level after the opening set to grind Djokovic down and seal a famous victory.
The result keeps Alcaraz at world number one ahead of Jannik Sinner, while Djokovic moves up to third, as a new era at the top of men’s tennis continues to take shape.
