New Delhi: Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 to win the Australian Open and complete a career Grand Slam, becoming the youngest
to do so in tennis history.
“Job finished. Four out of four complete,” the Spaniard wrote on a TV camera lens after winning a pulsating final on Rod Laver Arena.
The 22-year-old improved on the mark of Don Budge, who achieved it just days shy of his 23rd birthday in 1938, and compatriot Rafael Nadal, who managed it aged 24 years.
Nadal was in the stands and clapped hard when Alcaraz won, denying the 38-year-old Serb’s his record 25th Grand Slam title.
‘Legendary’
“It’s hard just right after the match to you know, to be all positive and smiling because you are a competitor and you don’t want to lose,” he told reporters.
“You don’t like to lose. That’s the kind of feeling. I managed to beat Jannik (Sinner) — who is double-defending champion here and won the last whatever, four, five matches against me — in five sets, very proud of that. Incredible match, incredible achievement.
“But you’re speaking to me ten minutes after I lost the final, so of course I’m going to be a little bit bitter about losing.
“But, again, I lost to a number one in the world and already a legendary player.”
Taste’s like success @carlosalcaraz 🍾#AO26 pic.twitter.com/sCORIdUAWX
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 1, 2026
After 10 triumphs, Djokovic lost in a final at Melbourne Park for the first time and said he didn’t expect to be standing at a Grand Slam trophy ceremony again.
“I have belief, and I have always confidence and vision to win a Slam, a Slam anywhere, to win anywhere where I play, but I did not expect it. That’s different,” he said, predicting that Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, whom he beat in the semi-finals, would continue to be in his way at the majors.
“The two of them, I guess, are going to be fighting for biggest titles, and then the youngsters like myself are going to try to catch up.”
