Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final on Sunday, securing his first title at Melbourne Park and completing the career Grand Slam at the age of 22. The Spaniard triumphed 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5, becoming the youngest man to win all four major titles, surpassing Don Budge's 88-year-old record.
Alcaraz, who had previously won the French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open, overcame Djokovic's early dominance to claim the victory. The match marked Djokovic's first loss in an Australian Open final, where he had been unbeaten in 10 previous appearances. The 38-year-old Serb was aiming for a record 25th Grand Slam title but fell short against Alcaraz's relentless play.
In his post-match speech, Djokovic reflected on his career, hinting at a potential retirement while expressing gratitude for his journey. Alcaraz, meanwhile, celebrated the achievement with his team, acknowledging the hard work behind the milestone. He also tempered expectations for the rest of the year, focusing on one tournament at a time.
The victory solidifies Alcaraz's place among tennis greats, joining an elite group that includes Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. His next challenge will be defending his French Open title later this year.