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Carlos Alcaraz made history on Sunday when he topped Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 to win the 2026 Australian Open in Melbourne.
Alcaraz, 22, became the youngest male tennis player to complete the career Grand Slam. The Australian Open was the last tournament on his list. Previously, he had not made it further than the quarter-finals. But that changed against Djokovic.
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Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
“Job done. 4/4 done,” Alcaraz wrote on the lens of the television camera.
Alcaraz had to pull out some of his usual wizardry to beat Djokovic. The two had a handful of extended rallies, with the Spaniard having to dig deep into the bag to collect points. Alcaraz converted on five of the 16 break points. Djokovic was two of six.
He thanked his support team for helping him get through the tournament with a Grand Slam win to start the 2026 season. He parted ways with former coach Juan Carlos Ferrero at the end of last season, and Samuel Lopez took over the reins.
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain holds the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
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“No one knows how hard I worked to get this trophy. I just chased this moment so much,” Alcaraz said.
“We just did the right job, you pushed me every day to do all the right things,” he added. “I’m just really thankful for everyone I have in my corner right now.”
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain reacts during a news conference as he sits with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, early Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
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Djokovic’s bid to claim his 25th Grand Slam title has now been blocked by either Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner.
