AO 2026: Carlos Alcaraz beats Djokovic to become youngest man to complete career Grand Slam

Carlos Alcaraz etched his name into tennis history on Sunday, becoming the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam after defeating Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final at Melbourne Park.

The 22-year-old Spaniard rallied from a set down to stun the 10-time Australian Open champion 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5, denying Djokovic a record-extending 25th Grand Slam singles title in a gripping contest lasting just over three hours.

Djokovic, 38, came out firing in pursuit of history, but Alcaraz’s athleticism, defensive brilliance and relentless pressure gradually turned the match. Time and again, Alcaraz retrieved shots that would normally be outright winners, forcing errors from his veteran rival at crucial moments.

After sealing victory, an emotional Alcaraz dropped his racket and lay flat on his back, hands covering his face, before embracing Djokovic at the net. The Serbian great smiled and congratulated the new champion, who then celebrated with his coaching team and family in the stands.

Both players entered the final after grueling five-set semifinal wins and displayed exceptional fitness and intensity throughout. Alcaraz converted five of his 16 break points, while Djokovic managed two from six chances.

With the triumph, Alcaraz completed a set of all four Grand Slam singles titles at 22 years and 272 days, surpassing the long-standing record set by Don Budge in 1938. The Australian Open crown was the final piece missing from his collection.

The victory also marked Alcaraz’s seventh Grand Slam title—his first in Melbourne, adding to multiple triumphs at Wimbledon, the French Open, and the US Open—further cementing his status as the defining force of tennis’s new generation.