Alcaraz Downs Djokovic in AO Final, Is Youngest Man to Complete Career Slam – Tennis Now

By Richard Pagliaro | Sunda, February 1, 2026
Photo credit: Jon Buckle/ROLEX

Rod Laver Arena was a consequential crossroads.

A visionary Carlos Alcaraz raced through a rousing road trip to a historic Australian Open triumph.

Rallying from a set down, the 22-year-old Alcaraz powered past Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 to capture his first AO championship and make history as the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam.  

Contesting his 20th major, Alcaraz claimed his seventh Grand Slam crown in an impressive three hour, two-minute triumph. 

In a historic showdown of stellar shotmakers, Alcaraz handed 10-time AO champion Djokovic his first Melbourne Park final defeat—and denied the 38-year-old Serbian superstar a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.

Alcaraz arrived at his maiden AO final already a champion for all surfaces as the youngest man to capture Grand Slam championships on the three major surfaces: hard court (2022 and 2025 US Open), grass (2023-2024 Wimbledon) and his native surface red clay at Roland Garros (2024-2025). 

After this magical Melbourne night, the imaginative Spanish superstar is the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam. Dynamic court coverage, explosive shotmaking and all-court creativity carried Alcaraz to his maiden AO title.

At at 22 years, days 272 days, Alcaraz is the youngest man in history to capture all four major championships, breaking an 87-year-old record held by legendary Hall of Famer J. Donald Budge, who was 22 years 363 days when he completed the career Grand Slam at the 1938 French Championships. 

Sixteen years ago, Rafael Nadal, Alcaraz’s tennis hero and Olympic doubles partner, won the 2010 US Open to complete the career Grand Slam at the age of 24. Roger Federer, Alcaraz’s stylistic inspiration, was 27 years old when he defeated Robin Soderling in the 2009 Roland Garros final to win his first French Open and complete the career Grand Slam. 

On this night, Nadal was watching from the front row as Alcaraz hit his way into history. The best player of this time defeating the greatest champion of all time.

The 16-year age gap between Djokovic (38 years 255 days) and Alcaraz was the largest in AO final history and the second-largest gap of any two men in Grand Slam history. Only the 17-year, 304-day age gap between Ken Rosewall and Jimmy Connors in the finals at 1974 Wimbledon and the 1974 US Open was greater.

For one set, Djokovic, who toppled world No. 2 Jannik Sinner in the semifinals, outplayed the Spanish speedster in a near flawless first set. 

Grand Slam tennis relies on vision and revision.

A remarkable aspect of Djokovic’s AO run is the fact he transformed his identity from impenetrable to imposing. 

Coolest conditions of the tournament greeted the finalists. The chilly 58-degree temperatures did not deter Djokovic, who came out blazing.

Torching the top seed in forehand exchanges, Djokovic had the Spaniard hitting off his heels at times. 

The 38-year-old Serbian superstar coaxed a backhand error breaking for 3-1. Djokovic dabbed an exquisite angled forehand dropper that helped him stamp his second love hold for 4-1 after 28 minutes.

An assertive Djokovic clubbed a crosscourt forehand more than 80 mph for double-set point. When Alcaraz scattered a running forehand, Djokovic snatched a one-set lead after 32 minutes. Djokovic reeled off eight of the last nine points of the set. 

The 10-time AO champion served 78 percent and won 13 of 14 first-serve points in the opening set.

Across the net, Alcaraz, whose vast variety helped him fend off Alexander Zverev in an epic five hour, 27-minute triumph—the second-longest Slam semifinal of the Open Era—made the same mistake Jannik Sinner committed against Djokovic. Rather than mixing it up, Alcaraz stood-toe-to-toe with Djokovic, tried to hit through him and paid a steep price in the first set.

Dropping deeper to receive second serves, Alcaraz’s adjustment worked—aided by a fortuitous bounce. An Alcaraz net cord dribbled over then Djokovic sprayed an inside-out forehand to face double break point. Djokovic botched a serve-and-volley attempt as Alcaraz broke for a 2-1 second set lead, winning eight of the prior nine points.

Dispensing Djokovic’s brand of shotmaking magic against the Serbian, Alcaraz hit a beautiful sliding backhand strike down the line that helped him earned double break point. When the Serbian slapped a forehand into net—his 10th unforced error of the set—Alcaraz had the 5-2 double-break lead. 

Plowing through a potent hold at 15, Alcaraz screamed “Vamos!” sealing the second set after 69 minutes of play.

Packing his bag, Djokovic departed Rod Laver Arena before the third set began. Meanwhile, the roof over RLA was closed further, but not completely closed, after the set, apparently because AO officials were concerned rain was approaching.

Eye-popping court-coverage from both men created a shot-making spectacle as Djokovic wrapped a running backhand strike around the net post only to see the streaking Spaniard flick a forehand winner reply. That shot elicited “aahs” from fans and brought a big smile to King of Clay Rafa Nadal’s face as he watched it all go down from the front row.

Pressure percolated midway through the third set when Djokovic missed a backhand down the line to face double break point. Alcaraz brewed up some forehand blasts crosscourt coaxing the error to earn the first break of the set for 3-2.

Draining the life from the legs of his opponent with his quick court coverage and skill stretching the court, Alcaraz left Djokovic hunched over and gulping deep breaths of air in the ninth game.

Exuding champion’s will, Djokovic fought off four set points in the ninth game. 

Alcaraz just kept coming. When Djokovic scattered a backhand down the line wide, Alcaraz broke again to snatch a two sets to one lead after two hours. 

The Grand Slam king showed supreme champion’s character fending off six break points in a punishing 12 ½-minue hold for 1-all in the fourth set. Serbian flags were flying and fans saluted Djokovic’s grit and guts chanting “Nole! Nole! Nole!”

In a dramatic ninth game, a heroic Djokovic summoned deep will ripping a return to gain break point at 30-40—his first break point in more than two hours.

Fans were again screaming “Nole! Nole! Nole!” in support of the stirring stand.

Alcaraz answered with an absolutely audacious short-angled forehand winner then held with a shout for a 5-4 fourth-set lead

Alcaraz on a crackling 24-shot rally to open the 12th game. When Djokovic scattered one final forehand wide, Alcaraz crashed to the court after three hours, two minutes arising as Australian Open and career Grand Slam champion. Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have combined to capture the last nine consecutive major crowns with no end in sight.