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

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ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;World number one Aryna Sabalenka retained her U.S. Open title on Saturday, defeating American Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) in straight sets at Arthur Ashe Stadium to claim her fourth Grand Slam crown. This title marks Sabalenka&rsquo;s second straight title in New York, making her the first woman since Serena Williams to win back-to-back US Opens. The Belarusian-based champion entered the match after losses in the Australian and French Open finals earlier this year. &#39;Super proud of myself&#39;&ldquo;Going into this final, I decided for myself that I&rsquo;m going to control my emotions. I&rsquo;m not going to let them take control over me,&rdquo; she told Reuters after the win. She added, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m super proud right now of myself.&rdquo; Anisimova, playing in her second Slam final, admitted the home atmosphere helped her stay in the match. &ldquo;They were really backing me, and I think that was really helpful to try and stay in the match,&rdquo; she said in comments reported by AP. She added that the closed roof made serving difficult, saying, &ldquo;I could not see the ball when I was serving&hellip; that made my serving today very, very difficult.&rdquo; 100th Grand Slam winThe victory marked Sabalenka&rsquo;s 100th Grand Slam match win as she celebrated with champagne and a pat on her trainer&rsquo;s head. With the title in hand, Sabalenka reinforced her reputation as the &ldquo;queen of hardcourts,&rdquo; Reuters reported. &ldquo;All those tough lessons were worth it for this one,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m speechless right now.&rdquo;&nbsp;

Aryna Sabalenka defended her US Open crown by beating Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6 (7-3), becoming the first woman since Serena Williams to win back-to-back titles in New York and securing her fourth Grand Slam

Articles tagged with "Grand Slam"

Alcaraz sweeps past Djokovic to win 'dream' Australian Open

Sabalenka stands undefeated: retains US Open crown