Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic to make history in the Australian Open final as he became the youngest man of all time to complete the career grand slam at the age of 22.
The world No 1 eclipsed Don Budge’s 1938 record by completing the set of four grand slam titles in record time, and now has seven overall after adding his first Australian Open crown to doubles at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open.
“It is a dream come true for me,” said Alcaraz. With his 2-6 6-2 6-3 7-5 victory, he joins the illustrious list of nine men to win all four major titles, doing so faster than anyone else. “I think the best word to describe it is historic, legendary,” said Djokovic.
In doing so, Alcaraz denied Djokovic a major milestone in a historic final. The Serbian was aiming for the standalone grand slam singles title record of 25, and to become the oldest grand slam winner of all time at 38.
After beating defending champion Jannik Sinner in a five-set epic in the semi-finals, Djokovic was proud of his record-breaking run to the final but could not hide his disappointment as his bid for a 25th grand slam singles title slipped by.
“It’s an incredible achievement for me to be able to play finals, be couple of sets away maybe to win a championship,” he said. “Of course, after a loss, it’s a bitter feeling. But nevertheless I have to be content with this result.”
Follow live updates from the Australian Open final, below
Carlos Alcaraz: ‘I am happy to prove everyone wrong’
Carlos Alcaraz said he was happy to prove the doubters wrong after his split from his long-time coach and mentor Juan Carlos Ferrero during the off-season and ahead of the Australian Open.
Alcaraz had won six grand slam titles alongside Ferrero, but made it seven just weeks after their shock split.
”We all know how hard I worked in the preseason to be ready for this tournament,” he said.
“I had too many things to think about during this tournament. Just focus on my game style, focus on myself, being patient.
“That’s all I thought about during this tournament. Once I got it, I’m just happy to prove all the people were wrong.”
Carlos Alcaraz praises Novak Djokovic for his Australian Open run
“What he’s doing is inspiring. It is inspiring for all the athletes.
“What he’s putting his body, his mind, his life into playing a final of a Grand Slam again, people saying that he was not going to play another Grand Slam final or he was not going to beat Jannik or myself.
“Then he comes and playing such great tennis and beating Jannik in the semi-final, and here in the final played such great tennis. So it’s unbelievable what he’s doing.
”If he maintains this level of tennis during the whole season, he’s going to win great things – probably a Master 1000 again. He’s going to come to a Grand Slam final again.
“It depends how physically he is or how demanding physically is the tournament for him, but I think he’s ready to keep winning the big tournaments in the tour.”
Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic to win Australian Open and complete career grand slam
After the electric comebacks, the magical shot-making, and the passion, belief and smile that had defined his remarkable ascent, this was the moment where Carlos Alcaraz took the step from generational talent to stand in the pantheon of the greatest tennis players of all time. As Novak Djokovic sensed his opportunity to make history, Alcaraz wrote his own: by winning his first Australian Open title, overturning Djokovic to win 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 and under enormous pressure, Alcaraz becomes the youngest man of all time to complete the career grand slam at 22 years and 272 days.
Carlos Alcaraz on his next goals after completing career slam at 22
”I hate losing, so that’s my motivation. Trying to lose as less as I can,” Alcaraz says.
”There are some tournaments that I really wanted to win at least once. A few Masters 1000s… I just really wanted to complete all the Masters 1000s.
Obviously the ATP Finals. The Davis Cup is a goal as well. I really wanted to achieve that for my country, for Spain.
“I set up some other goals for the season, and I will try to be ready to get those goals.”
Novak Djokovic identifies his one regret from ‘bitter’ Australian Open final defeat
Novak Djokovic was proud of his record-breaking run to the Australian Open final at the age of 38 but could not hide his disappointment as his bid for a 25th grand slam singles title slipped by in defeat to Carlos Alcaraz.
Djokovic, though, was left to rue a couple of missed opportunities in the fourth set, particularly on break point at 4-4 when he had a look at Alcaraz’s second serve but dumped a forehand return into the net.
Carlos Alcaraz reveals his next tattoo after winning Australian Open
Carlos Alcaraz revealed he would celebrate winning a first Australian Open title by getting a tattoo of a kangaroo after completing the career grand slam in Melbourne.
The Spaniard has a strawberry to celebrate Wimbledon, an Eiffel Tower to mark his French Open and added the Statue of Liberty in September after winning his second US Open title in New York.
‘Job finished’: Carlos Alcaraz’s camera message sums up ‘legendary’ career grand slam
Carlos Alcaraz summed up his “legendary” achievement of winning all four grand slam titles to complete the career grand slam by writing “Job finished. 4/4 complete” on the court-side camera.
The 22-year-old become the youngest man to complete the career grand slam after beating Novak Djokovic in four sets to win his first Australian Open title.
Alcaraz is also the youngest man to win seven grand slam singles titles after adding his first Australian Open to two titles at the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.
Is this the craziest Carlos Alcaraz stat after completing career grand slam?
Having won the French Open twice, Wimbledon twice and the US Open twice, Carlos Alcaraz is now just another Australian Open away from completing the double career grand slam.
For context, only four have done that before. Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic (who is the only player to win the triple career grand slam).
But Djokovic did it at 34 when he won a second French Open. Nadal did it at 35 when he won a second Australian Open.
Alcaraz could do it at 23 if he defends his Australian Open title next year!
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz thank ‘legendary’ Rafael Nadal as Spaniard watches Australian Open final
Novak Djokovic paid tribute to the “legendary” Rafael Nadal in his runner-up speech at the Australian Open, after his former rival watched the final from the stands.
Djokovic fell to another incredibly talented Spaniard, Carlos Alcaraz, in four sets as his bid for a standalone record 25th major title fell short.
Alcaraz triumphed 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 to write history of his own, becoming the youngest man in history and only the ninth ever to record the career grand slam – winning all four majors.
Novak Djokovic explains how Carlos Alcaraz has improved: ‘He has everything’
“A lot has changed since then. He has improved physically, mentally, game-wise. He’s constantly looking to innovate his game, which is exactly the kind of mentality that needs to be nurtured for a champion.
“It’s never enough in terms of settling with your game. You have to progress. Otherwise, you regress because everyone else progresses.
”He has everything, the whole package. Really, as I said, a nice guy and very respected. So congrats to him, to his team, to his family. I mean, he’s only 22. I mean, it’s unbelievable.”
