Carlos Alcaraz completes the Career Grand Slam and denies Novak Djokovic a standalone 25th major with a four-set win in the 2026 Australian Open final

Carlos Alcaraz won his first Australian Open title and became the youngest man, at 22, to complete the career Grand Slam as he beat Novak Djokovic in the final, writes James Walker-Roberts.

Djokovic won the first set but Alcaraz roared back to seal a four-set victory and claim the seventh major of his career.

Djokovic was aiming to win a record 25th Grand Slam after beating Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals.

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"Wow, first of all I just want to talk about Novak. I think he deserves some ovation for sure, you (Novak) are talking about how I’m doing the amazing things but that was you doing them and it was really inspiring.

"Not just tennis players but athletes, people around the world, putting in the hard work with your team and I just enjoy watching you play so it is an honour so thank you very much for what you are doing as it is really inspiring to me.

"My team over there, nobody knows how hard I’ve been working to get this trophy, I just chase this so much, in pre-season I was a little bit emotional.

"We didn’t hear what the people were saying before coming to Australia, we just did the right work; you were pushing me every day to do all the right things so I have to say I am really grateful for everyone I have in the corner right now and as I say this trophy is ours.

"For me, as Djokovic said, it is a little bit weird seeing Rafa in the stands. I think it is the first time, if I am not wrong, as a professional as I think you were watching me when I was 14 years old.

"But for me it is such an honour in front of you. We had great battles on the court, not too many, but for me it was an honour sharing the the court, practicing, being in the locker and for me it is just a privilege, so thank you very much for being here.

"The love that I receive every year I come, it is a great support, a great love, not just for the matches but every time I step onto the court for the practices I felt the love for the people.

"I want to say thank you for choosing me in the tough moments in the matches so what can I say except thank you and I can’t wait to come back next year."

The world number one lifts the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup for the first time.

The crowd chant Djokovic’s name and he shows his appreciation.

The 24-time major winner gives a brilliant and surprisingly funny speech.

"Thank you very much. First and foremost congratulations Carlos, an amazing tournament, amazing couple of weeks.

"And I wish you the best of luck for the rest of your career. I mean you are so young, you have a lot of time like myself, so I am sure we will be seeing each other plenty more times in the next 10 years - not!

"Then I have to obviously thank my team for enduring me first of all, and for giving me support. It hasn’t been smooth sailing, as it never is but you guys are my rock in my corner.

"You have seen the best of me and the worst of me for however many years but also in the past three weeks and this success is your success, of course.

"And to the legendary Rafa (Nadal) who is in the stands. Obviously it feels very weird to see you there, not here you know. But it has been an honour to share the court with you and have you watch the finals, it is a first time for me, and obviously a bit of a strange feeling but thank you for being present.

"I had a winning speech prepared and a losing speech prepared (crowd laugh again).

"I want to keep it short, this is Carlos’ moment. But you guys, the last couple of matches gave me something I have never experienced in Australia, so much love, support, positivity. I tried to give you back with good tennis over the years, this has been my 21st year, maybe 22nd year and honestly, I always believe in myself and that is something that is truly needed when you are playing against incredible players like Carlos and Jannik (Sinner) over the past three days.

"But I have to be honest and say I did not think I would be standing here in the closing ceremony, so I have to thank you for pushing me forward in the last couple of weeks.

"God knows what happens tomorrow, let alone in six or 12 months but it has been a great ride, I love you guys."

How long until Carlos completes the Double Career Grand Slam?

The Spaniard already has two titles at Wimbledon, Roland-Garros and the US Open.

Alcaraz has claimed a seventh Men’s Singles title at Grand Slam events, equalling Bjorn Borg (7) for the most any under-23 player in the Open Era.

Since the inaugural ATP Tour season in 1990, Alcaraz (86) has now taken the fewest main draws to achieve 25 career ATP-level titles.

Alcaraz (22y 258d) is now the youngest male player in tennis history to complete the Career Grand Slam, surpassing Don Budge (22y 355d) in 1938.

GAME, SET AND MATCH! – ALCARAZ 2-6 6-2 6-3 7-5 DJOKOVIC

History is made!

Carlos Alcaraz wins his maiden Australian Open title to become the youngest man ever to complete the Career Grand Slam at the age of 22.

The Spaniard hit back from a set down to triumph in three hours and two minutes to end Novak Djokovic’s latest bid for a standalone 25th singles major in the sport.

The world number one breaks on his first MP, as Nole fires another forehand long, to seal his seventh Grand Slam title and condemn 10-time champion Djokovic to his first ever defeat in the final at Rod Laver Arena.

Alcaraz stays patient in an epic 24-shot rally that ends with Nole blinking with a backhand into the net.

The world number one is eager to really apply the heat here but Djoker knocks away a lovely backhand volley to make 15-15.

However, the Serb fluffs his lines on a forehand off the island and when that wing falters again he offers up TWO Championship points...

Alcaraz sizzles a crosscourt wrong-footer just long but the forehand does all the damage from 30-15 as a leaping crosscourt strike sees Nole watch it fly by.

It sees the Spaniard once again applies the squeeze on the board with a hold to 15 and Novak must hold to force a breaker and keep his dream of No.25 alive.

Djokovic stands tall in the knowledge any slip here would hand the title to Alcaraz.

There’s little drama to speak of as the fourth seed romps through a game to 15 to leave this fourth set finely poised.

‘Nole, Nole, Nole…’ the crowd throw their support behind Djokovic as he slides to his left to dig out a low crosscourt backhand that Alcaraz can only slice into the net.

The fourth seed has the point on his racquet in the next exchange but falters off his trusty backhand.

Alcaraz hits the front with a simple backhand volley to the open court off a lovely drop shot but fires a crosscourt forehand just wide after a sensational rally.

‘Nole, Nole, Nole…’ is the chant once more and the crowd then explodes as Djoker lands a rapid return that rushes the reply into the net from the Spaniard.

Alcaraz is on the back foot on the break point but is so relieved when Nole fires a forehand way long.

The top seed conjures up a bit of brilliance – or was there a slight miscue on that? – as he finds supreme short angle on a forehand winner.   

Incredible defence forces Djokovic to go bigger to try and follow up another lightning return but this time he fires long and Carlos screams with delight as he drags himself out of dodge.

Alarm bells ring for the veteran Serb as he miscues a backhand before being unlocked by devilish angle on a fabulous crosscourt return from Alcaraz.

A rocket forehand winner down the line is followed by a powerhouse first serve and a hefty plus-one but the recovery attempt from 0-30 extends to deuce when he booms another strike off that wing long.

The fourth seed makes life easy for himself from there with back-to-back clutch serves to keep his hopes alive.

Djokovic almost smiles. It’s certainly a wry one and has a mix of a grimace in there as he is just about undone by another Carlos dropper despite getting a racquet on what should have been a routine put-away from the Spaniard.

The moves on to nine aces and 33 winners as he chalks up a hold to 15 to take us into the business end of Set 4.

Djokovic is delighted to land a succession of first serves.

The Serb drills a forecourt backhand just long to blot his copybook at 40-0 but there’s no lingering regret as Alcaraz misfires on a forehand in the following point to allow the Serb to easily pull level once more.

Alcaraz barely breaks sweat as he follows suit by ticking off another efficient love hold.