Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday beat Serbian Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 to win his first Australian Open, increasing his overall Grand Slam tally to seven. Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday did what his pre-tournament world ranking of No 1 indicated he should — he won the 2026 Australian Open to underline his status as the best player in the world. At just 22 years and 272 days old, Alcaraz also became the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam by winning all four majors, surpassing the American Don Budge, who was 22 years and 363 days old when he achieved the feat in 1938.
His victory demonstrates not only what a remarkable talent the Spaniard is, but is also a demoralising statement to the chasing pack — he is going to be around for a very long time. If Alcaraz has a career as long as Djokovic, who at 38 had the chance to win an 11th Australian Open and a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles title, who knows what records he might break. Since winning his maiden Grand Slam at the 2022 US Open, Alcaraz has added six more out of the last 13 Grand Slams played.
His strike rate is immense, and at his current rate he could win another 20 Grand Slams in the next 10 years. Of course, the vagaries of sport mean that nothing is guaranteed. Injuries and, although it seems improbable now, loss of form or hunger, could halt his trajectory.
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But as it stands, nobody, other than Italian world No 2 Jannik Sinner — who has beaten Alcaraz in one of the three Grand Slam finals they have met in — looks capable of toppling the great Spaniard. After a shaky start against Djokovic at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne Park, where Alcaraz lost the first set 2-6, he settled to win decisively against the ageing warrior. The Serbian has been on a quest for Grand Slam No 25 since winning the 2023 US Open, which drew him level with women’s great Margaret Court on 24 majors apiece.
Djokovic has had his chances since then, losing the 2024 Wimbledon final before the loss in Melbourne. But this did feel like his last realistic shot at the venue where he has been most successful. Before Sunday, he had won 10 out of 1o finals in Melbourne. That perfect record is gone.
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