Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 in the Australian Open men's final to claim his first title in Melbourne and become the youngest man to achieve a career Grand Slam at age 22. The Spaniard, who already held two titles each from Wimbledon, Roland Garros, and the US Open, now has seven major championships. Djokovic, seeking a record 25th Grand Slam, suffered his first loss in an Australian Open final after 10 previous wins.
The Australian Open 2026 men's final at Rod Laver Arena pitted two generations against each other in a match that highlighted the sport's evolving guard. Novak Djokovic, the 38-year-old 10-time champion, started dominantly, breaking Alcaraz twice to take the first set in just 33 minutes with 93% of first-serve points won and only four unforced errors. His aggressive returns and precise forehands overwhelmed the world No. 1, echoing his semifinal epic against Jannik Sinner that lasted over four hours and ended past 1 a.m. local time. Djokovic later reflected, “The first set was one of the best I’ve played in the last couple of years,” but admitted disappointment at not sustaining that level, citing momentum shifts from key missed shots. Alcaraz, trailing 2-6, regrouped in the second set, capitalizing on Djokovic's early errors—including a net cord break at 1-1—to level at one set apiece in 37 minutes. He broke twice more, reducing unforced errors to 10 across the next two sets combined. The third set saw Alcaraz save four set points before converting on the fifth, extending his edge. In the fourth, Djokovic mounted a comeback, saving six break points in an 11-minute hold and generating a break chance at 4-4, but Alcaraz held firm. Serving for the match at 5-6, Alcaraz sealed victory with a 24-shot rally winner, collapsing in joy as Djokovic's final forehand went long after three hours and two minutes. Rafael Nadal watched from the stands, adding nostalgia; Alcaraz called it “an honor” to win in his presence. This triumph, Alcaraz's seventh major, surpasses Nadal's age for the career Slam (24) and positions him level with John McEnroe and Mats Wilander. Djokovic, gracious in defeat, praised Alcaraz as “historic, legendary,” while hinting at uncertainty: “God knows what happens tomorrow.” Alcaraz now eyes a calendar-year Slam, starting with Roland Garros in May.
