Alcaraz Wins Australian Open, Becomes Youngest Player to Complete Career Grand Slam
Updated (6 articles)
Alcaraz Captures First Australian Open Title On 1 February 2026 Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic 2‑6, 6‑2, 6‑3, 7‑5 to claim his inaugural Australian Open crown and his seventh Grand Slam overall, completing a career Grand Slam at 22 years 8 months 28 days, the youngest ever to do so[1][2]. The victory cemented his position as ATP world No. 1, a ranking he entered the final with and retained after the win[4]. Alcaraz’s triumph ties him with John McEnroe and Mats Wilander on seven major titles and surpasses Björn Borg’s record for the youngest player to reach that total in the Open Era[1][2]. His win also marked the 25th‑title bid for Djokovic ending in Melbourne[1].
Djokovic’s 25th‑Major Quest Ends in Melbourne Final The 38‑year‑old Serbian fell short of a historic 25th Grand Slam, leaving him tied with Margaret Court at 24 major titles[4][5]. Djokovic reached the final after a grueling four‑hour‑nine‑minute semifinal win over Jannik Sinner, a match that pushed his world ranking to No. 3[1]. He had previously won every Australian Open final he contested, a streak broken by Alcaraz’s comeback from a set down[4]. Post‑match, Djokovic joked about a decade‑long rivalry with Alcaraz and hinted he may skip next year’s Melbourne event[5].
Marathon Semifinals Tested Both Champions Alcaraz survived a five‑hour‑27‑minute five‑set battle against Alexander Zverev, even taking a medical timeout for an adductor issue before prevailing[1][6]. Djokovic’s semifinal against Sinner lasted four hours nine minutes, ending at 1:30 a.m. and showcasing his endurance on Melbourne’s fast courts[1][6]. Both players skipped training on the recovery day, focusing on rest before the final[6]. Their exhaustive paths underscored the physical demands of the 2026 Australian Open.
Coaching Shift and Serve Evolution Boost Alcaraz After parting ways with longtime mentor Juan Carlos Ferrero at the end of 2025, Alcaraz worked under Samuel Lopez, who he credited for “pushing me every day” throughout the tournament[3][4]. The Spaniard’s serve, once considered a weakness, transformed into a decisive weapon comparable to Djokovic’s precision, contributing to his dominance in recent majors[2]. The coaching change and service improvement helped Alcaraz capture his 25th tour‑level title and maintain a win rate of one “big” title every 3.7 tournaments[2].
Rybakina’s Rise Completes Women’s Narrative Kazakhstani Elena Rybakina secured her second Grand Slam by defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the women’s final, climbing to world No. 3 after also beating Iga Świątek and Jessica Pegula en route[1]. Her three‑set victory over the world No. 1 highlighted a shifting power balance in women’s tennis. Rybakina’s performance added further intrigue to the Australian Open’s historic week[1].
Sources
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1.
The Hindu: Alcaraz Wins Australian Open, Completes Career Grand Slam as Djokovic Falls Short: Details Alcaraz’s historic win, age record, semifinal marathons, Djokovic’s 25th‑title bid, and Rybakina’s women’s triumph.
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BBC: Alcaraz clinches Australian Open, completes historic career Grand Slam: Emphasizes Alcaraz’s youth record, serve evolution, pre‑23 title tally, and upcoming coaching change.
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AP: Alcaraz clinches career Grand Slam, ending Djokovic’s 25‑title quest: Highlights match score, age milestone, coaching staff shift, and Djokovic’s reaction.
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CNN: Alcaraz Wins Australian Open, Becomes Youngest Player to Complete Career Grand Slam: Focuses on world No. 1 status, elite club entry, and Djokovic’s lost chance for a 25th major.
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BBC: Alcaraz Defeats Djokovic to Secure Career Grand Slam at Australian Open 2026: Provides match momentum details, Djokovic’s future uncertainty, and generational shift with Sinner.
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BBC: Djokovic vs. Alcaraz: Melbourne Final Holds Career‑Defining Stakes: Offers head‑to‑head stats, semifinal stamina, and pre‑final stakes for both players.
Timeline
1938 – Don Budge becomes the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam at 22 years 363 days, a record Alcaraz later shatters [1].
2010 – Rafael Nadal completes his career Grand Slam at age 24, the first of the “Big Three” to do so, setting a benchmark Alcaraz later surpasses [1].
2023 – Novak Djokovic ties Margaret Court’s all‑time record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles after the US Open, a tie he still seeks to break [2].
Jan 31, 2026 – In the Australian Open semifinals, Djokovic endures a four‑hour‑nine‑minute win over Jannik Sinner, while Alcaraz survives a five‑hour‑five‑set battle with Alexander Zverev; both cite stamina as key, and Djokovic says the final “is no different from any other big match,” while Alcaraz notes he would choose this title over the other three majors to complete his Grand Slam [3].
Feb 1, 2026 – Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic 2‑6, 6‑2, 6‑3, 7‑5 to win his first Australian Open, his seventh major and the youngest career‑Grand‑Slam ever at 22 years 272 days, securing the world No. 1 ranking and calling the triumph “a dream come true” that “means the world to me” [5].
Feb 1, 2026 – Djokovic’s bid for a 25th major ends; he admits he “didn’t think I’d be standing at the closing ceremony of a Grand Slam once again,” hinting he may skip next year’s Melbourne event [2].
Feb 1, 2026 – After the win, Alcaraz thanks his new coach Samuel Lopez, calls Djokovic “deserving some ovation,” and notes childhood hero Rafael Nadal watching, while noting his serve has become a “decisive weapon” [4].
Feb 5, 2026 – Elena Rybakina captures her second Grand Slam by beating Sabalenka, climbing to world No. 3, underscoring a shifting landscape in women’s tennis alongside Alcaraz’s historic win [6].
June 2026 (French Open) – Alcaraz looks ahead to Roland Garros, saying a calendar slam will be “a big challenge” and that he will focus on one major at a time as he aims to add the French Open title to his haul [1].