Australian Open 2026: Carlos Alcaraz clinched his maiden Australian Open title with a spirited comeback victory over former world number one Novak Djokovic at the Rod Laver arena in Melbourne on Sunday, winning the men’s singles final of the 2026 edition in style. Despite winning 10 Australian Open titles, the 38-year-old Djokovic tasted defeat in a Melbourne final for the first time.
Djokovic was denied a historic moment, with his pursuit of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title set to continue. Talking about the high-voltage final, the 22-year-old Spaniard, after dropping the opening set, raised his level dramatically to beat the Serbian great 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5, showcasing his trademark intensity, athleticism and shot-making under pressure.
Career Slam? Completed it, mate 🤝 pic.twitter.com/M6eaEU5PNg
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 1, 2026
The win not only earned Alcaraz his first Australian Open crown but also helped him complete a career Grand Slam, making him the youngest player in men’s tennis history to achieve the feat.
The final was billed as a generational clash, and Alcaraz delivered, outlasting the vastly experienced Djokovic in key moments to underline his status as the new standard-bearer of the sport.
History 🏆
Career slam complete, take a bow @carlosalcaraz 🇪🇸@wwos • @espn • @tntsports • @wowowtennis • #AO26 pic.twitter.com/pd7ye35TTq
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 1, 2026
After the match, Djokovic, of Serbia, and Alcaraz had a friendly embrace at the net that seemed to signify the official changing of the guard in men’s tennis.
Djokovic has won a record 104 main-draw matches in Melbourne. He dominated the first set, then showed the effects of the long match with Sinner as he seemed to tire.
But in the final set, with his energy apparently returned, he fought off six break points to stay on serve in the second game before Alcaraz broke in the final game.
With Djokovic serving down 5-6 in the fourth set to try to force a tiebreaker, Alcaraz took a 40-15 lead and celebrated when a Djokovic forehand sailed long.
Alcaraz and Sinner, of Italy, have combined to win the past nine Grand Slam events since Djokovic won the U.S. Open in 2023.
Alcaraz’s fellow Spaniard, 22-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal, was in the stands at Melbourne Park to watch Alcaraz. Before Sunday, Nadal was the youngest man in the Open Era to complete a career slam. He was 24.
“For me it’s a little bit weird seeing Rafa in the stands. I think it’s the first time [he has watched me play] professionally, if I’m not wrong,” said Alcaraz. “I know you watched me when I was 14 or 15 years old, so it’s been a long time. It’s such an honor playing in front of you. We had great battles on the court. … Now seeing you watch my match, it’s just a privilege.”
Nadal and Roger Federer have retired, leaving Djokovic the only one of the sport’s “Big Three” still active as he continues his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam championship.
“I always believe I can,” Djokovic said about the possibility of another major wn. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t be competing, and I said this numerous times. It’s great that I was able to beat Jannik in five and really battle Carlos in four close sets. I remain disappointed with the way I felt in second and third [sets] after an incredible start, and 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 over the last couple of weeks, it’s an 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.”
