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.”
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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.
Before this year, the world No 1 had never made it past the quarter-finals in Melbourne but completed the set in record time as he denied Djokovic his own slice of history.
Jamie Braidwood2 February 2026 06:58
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!
(Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood2 February 2026 05:58
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.
Jamie Braidwood2 February 2026 04:58
“The results are a testament to his already stellar career. I can’t think of any other superlatives about him. He deserves every bit of the praise that he gets from his peers, but also the whole tennis community.
“He’s a very nice, young man. Good values, nice family. Of course, already a legendary tennis player that made already a huge mark in the history books of tennis, I mean, with only 22 years of age.
“It’s super impressive, no doubt about it. First time I played him, he was, what, 11 or 12 years old! No, he was, I think, 18 or 19. You could already see that he’s destined for great things.”
Australian Open Tennis (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Jamie Braidwood2 February 2026 03:58
“A lot has changed since [I first played him]. 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.”
Jamie Braidwood2 February 2026 02:58
“You saw it. The first set was one of the best sets I’ve played the last couple years. Then, I kind of regained my energy back and momentum in mid-fourth. Asked the crowd to get involved. They did.
“It was just a bad miss at 4-4 and break point. I had a good look at that forehand. My forehand broke down in important moments.
“One or two shots can change the momentum of the match and switch things around, which happened. I’m just very disappointed I wasn’t able to maintain that kind of feeling that I had in the first set.
“There are a lot of what-if scenarios in my head, and yeah, I guess it is what it is. You have to just accept it as it is.”
(AFP via Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood2 February 2026 01:58
“It’s great that I was able to beat Jannik [Sinner]in five and really battle Carlos in four close sets,” Djokovic says when asked about whether this tournament has fuelled his belief that he can still win grand slams.
” I remain disappointed with the way I felt in second and third after an incredible start. I felt great about myself and then things changed.
“It is what it is. That’s sport, but of course, when you draw a line and you make an assessment of what happened last couple of weeks, it’s incredible achievement for me to be able to play finals, be couple of sets away maybe to win a championship.
“Of course, after a loss, it’s a bitter feeling, but nevertheless, I have to be content with this result.”
(REUTERS)
Jamie Braidwood2 February 2026 00:58
How many grand slam titles is Alcaraz going to end up with then? He has reached seven faster than anyone.
Carlos Alcaraz: 22 years 272 days, 2026 Australian Open
Bjorn Borg: 23 years 4 days, 1979 Roland Garros
Rafael Nadal: 24 years 3 days, 2010 Roland Garros
Mats Wilander: 24 years 21 days, 1988 US Open
Pete Sampras: 24 years 29 days, 1995 US Open
Roger Federer: 24 years 174 days, 2006 Australian Open
Rene Lacoste: 24 years 336 days, 1929 French Championships
(Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood1 February 2026 23:58
Carlos Alcaraz: 22 years 272 days, completed at 2026 Australian Open
Don Budge: 22 years 363 days, completed at 1938 French Championships
Rod Laver: 24 years 32 days, completed at 1962 US National Championships
Rafael Nadal: 24 years 102 days, completed at2010 US Open
Fred Perry: 26 years 15 days, completed at 1935 French Championships
Roy Emerson: 27 years 244 days, completed at 1964 Wimbledon Championships
Roger Federer: 27 years 303 days, completed at 2009 Roland Garros
Novak Djokovic: 29 years 15 day, completed at 2016 Roland Garros
Andre Agassi: 29 years 68 days, completed at 1999 Roland Garros
(AP)
Jamie Braidwood1 February 2026 22:58
After some years of not quite having the Australian crowd on his side, Djokovic clearly appreciates having them there for him today.
“Congratulations Carlos, an amazing tournament and an amazing couple of weeks. What you’ve been doing, the best word to describe it is: historic.
“It’s legendary, and I wish you the best of luck for the rest of your career.
“You are young like me and I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other many times over the next 10 years…NOT!” he says, to laughter.
(Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Flo Clifford 1 February 2026 21:58