MELBOURNE: Carlos Alcaraz swept past Novak Djokovic to win his first <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/maria-beats-williams-in-golden-oldies-final-at-australian-open-warmup" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Australian Open</a> on Sunday and become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam, denying the Serbian great an unprecedented 25th major. The Spaniard was imperious after a slow start in dismissing the 38-year-old, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 on Rod Laver Arena to claim a seventh Slam title and cement himself as undisputed world number one. He becomes the youngest man in the Open era to win all four majors, adding to his two titles each from Wimbledon and the French and US Opens. At 22, he surpassed legendary countryman Rafael Nadal -- in the crowd to witness the feat -- who was 24 when he did the same. A seventh Slam put him alongside John McEnroe and Mats Wilander and one behind Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl. &quot;Lifting the trophy for the first time in Australia was crazy,&quot; &nbsp;Alcaraz said, before writing on a TV camera lens: &quot;Job finished. Four out of four complete.&quot; He added: &quot;A dream come true. I dreamt about getting an Australian Open and completing the career Grand Slam.&quot; He paid tribute to <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/djokovic-stuns-sinner-to-set-up-australian-open-final-with-alcaraz" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Djokovic</a>. &quot;You were talking about how I&#39;m doing the things I am, but what you&#39;re doing is really inspiring, not only for tennis players but athletes around the world.&quot; It was a first defeat for Djokovic in a Melbourne final, having won all 10 previously, leaving him still searching for a landmark 25th major to better Australia&#39;s Margaret Court, who was also watching on centre court. Djokovic, striving to become the oldest man to lift a <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/djokovic-wins-record-400th-slam-match-to-power-on-in-australia" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Grand Slam</a> singles trophy, last won one at the US Open in 2023. Since then Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have dominated. &quot;I must be very honest and say that I didn&#39;t think I would be standing in the closing ceremony of a Grand Slam again, so I owe you the gratitude of pushing me forward in the last couple weeks,&quot; Djokovic said, speaking to the fans in the stadium. He went on to hint this could be his last time at Melbourne Park. &quot;God knows what happens tomorrow, let alone in six months or 12 months, so it has been a great ride.&quot; He also joked with Nadal in the stands, saying: &quot;There are too many Spanish legends. I feel like I was one against two tonight. It&#39;s not fair.&quot; Fighting fatigue Both men battled through five long sets in their semi-finals, Alcaraz against Alexander Zverev and Djokovic with Sinner, and recovery was always going to be key. But they showed few signs of fatigue in another gladiatorial contest. They both opened with comfortable holds before Djokovic was presented with the first break point chance at 2-1. Alcaraz saved it, but the aggressive fourth seed kept pressing and converted on his third, then consolidated for a 4-1 lead. Djokovic was reading Alcaraz&#39;s serve well and once he got in the rallies was authoritative, with a sensational forehand winner earning him two set points. He claimed the set in a statement 33 minutes, having dominated the big moments. It was vintage Djokovic, but Alcaraz upped the tempo to break for 2-1 in the second set, pumping his fist when he saved a break point and held in the next game. Djokovic put drops in his eyes and began rubbing them, unable to tame a now rampant Alcaraz, who broke again for 5-2. There were some sensational rallies that had the crowd on their feet in set three, which went with serve until Djokovic slapped a forehand wide under pressure to slip 2-3 behind. He gamely saved four set points at 3-5 but with his energy levels dropping was unable to save a fifth. On the back foot, Djokovic then saved six break points in an 11-minute opening service game in set four to stay alive. But Alcaraz ground him down and pounced as Djokovic served to stay in the match to seal a famous win. It ensured he remained world number one and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/djokovic-stuns-sinner-to-set-up-australian-open-final-with-alcaraz" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sinner</a>&nbsp;two, with Djokovic moving up a place to three.

This handout picture released by Tennis Australia on February 2, 2026, shows Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz poses with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup at the locker room after defeating Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in the men’s singles final on Day 15 of the Australi

Tennis

He becomes the youngest man in the Open era to win all four majors, adding to his two titles each from Wimbledon and the French and US Opens.

Alcaraz sweeps past Djokovic to win 'dream' Australian Open

MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic stunned reigning champion Jannik Sinner early Saturday to set up a blockbuster Australian Open final with Carlos Alcaraz after the Spaniard survived a five-set clash of his own with Alexander Zverev.&nbsp;The 38-year-old Serbian great turned back the clock to keep alive his bid for a record 25th Grand Slam crown by upsetting the Italian 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a gruelling 4hrs 9mins on Rod Laver Arena.&nbsp;World number one Alcaraz needed even longer to tame Zverev, spending a titanic 5hrs 27mins on court, overcoming cramping and a fifth-set deficit to win 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (3/7), 6-7 (4/7), 7-5.&nbsp;&quot;I&#39;m lost for words right now, to be honest,&quot; said Djokovic, who dropped to his knees and was emotional when the match ended. &quot;It feels surreal.&quot;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/djokovic-wins-record-400th-slam-match-to-power-on-in-australia" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Djokovic</a>&nbsp;had lost his last five encounters with Sinner and thanked him for &quot;allowing me at least one win in the last couple of years&quot;.&nbsp;&quot;I have tremendous respect for him, he pushed me to the limit,&quot; he added.&nbsp;&quot;The level of intensity, and I guess the quality of tennis, was extremely high, and I knew that was the only way for me to have a chance to win tonight.&quot;&nbsp;The win propelled Djokovic into a 39th Grand Slam final and made him the oldest man in the Open era to reach the title match in Melbourne, where he has won 10 times.&nbsp;It will be his first finals appearance since Wimbledon in 2024.&nbsp;Djokovic has been trying to move past Margaret Court -- who was in the stadium watching -- and clinch a landmark 25th major since his last one at the US Open in 2023.&nbsp;It has proved increasingly difficult with the emergence of Sinner and Alcaraz, who have shared every Slam title since then.&nbsp;Hate giving upAgainst Zverev, Alcaraz only narrowly avoided crashing out after a huge fright at 4-4 in the third set when he pulled up in pain with what appeared to be cramp.&nbsp;He was allowed to have treatment at the changeover, leaving Zverev furious and angrily remonstrating with officials.&nbsp;Medical timeouts are not permitted solely for muscle cramping and Zverev made his feelings clear, swearing at officials.&nbsp;Alcaraz said afterwards he thought he might have hurt his right abductor and it was the physio who decided to have a timeout.&nbsp;The top seed played on with his movement hampered and he lost his first set of the tournament.&nbsp;But after swigging some pickle juice, he clawed back from a break down in the fifth set as the crowd roared their approval.&nbsp;&quot;I rank this one in the top position of one of the best matches that I have ever won,&quot; said Alcaraz, who is into his eighth major final.&nbsp;&quot;I just hate giving up,&quot; he said.&nbsp;&quot;When I was younger there were a lot of matches that I just didn&#39;t want to fight anymore or just gave up. Then I just got mature, and I just hate that feeling after all.&quot;&nbsp;The 22-year-old Alcaraz has won two French Opens, two US Opens and twice at Wimbledon, but success on the blue Melbourne Park hard courts has eluded him in four previous campaigns.&nbsp;Should he snap the drought he would be the youngest man in the Open era to win all four majors, surpassing compatriot and legend Rafael Nadal, who was 24 when he did so.&nbsp;His efforts on Friday made him the youngest to reach the men&#39;s singles final at all four Slams.&nbsp;In other action, wildcards John Peers and Olivia Gadecki became the first team to retain the Australian Open mixed-doubles title since 1988-89.&nbsp;They outlasted French pair Kristina Mladenovic and Manuel Guinard 4-6, 6-3, 10-8.&nbsp;

Novak Djokovic defeated Jannik Sinner to reach the Australian Open final. Carlos Alcaraz also advanced after a tough five-set win over Alexander Zverev, setting up a final between Djokovic and Alcaraz.

Djokovic stuns Sinner to set up Australian Open final with Alcaraz

Reuters

Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to reclaim the US Open title and return to world No. 1. The Spaniard earned his sixth Grand Slam at age 22, ending Sinner’s 27-match hardcourt major streak and strengthening their rivalry at the top of men’s tennis

Articles tagged with "Carlos Alcaraz"

Alcaraz sweeps past Djokovic to win 'dream' Australian Open

Djokovic stuns Sinner to set up Australian Open final with Alcaraz

Double delight as Alcaraz reclaims world No 1 spot with US Open triumph