Novak Djokovic called Carlos Alcaraz a tennis legend at the age of 22 after the Spaniard became the youngest male player in history to complete the career grand slam by beating Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 in the Australian Open final.
The world number 1 had entered this tournament to complete his collection of grand slam titles after previously winning the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open twice. He played a mature match against fourth seed Djokovic and kept his composure after a thrilling opening set win against the Serbian in four sets. Alcaraz is also the youngest man in the open era to win seven Grand Slam titles.
This was a historic match on both sides of the net. Djokovic, who reached the final after a spectacular five-set win over Jannik Sinner, the second seed and two-time defending champion, had sought to become the oldest grand slam champion in the open era.
“The results are a testament to his already great career,” Djokovic said. “I can’t think of any other superlatives about him. He deserves all the praise he gets from his colleagues, but also from the entire tennis community. He is a very nice young man. Good values, nice family. Of course already a legendary tennis player who has already made a big mark in the history books of tennis at the age of only 22. It is super impressive, there is no doubt about that.”
This tournament was the first for Alcaraz since he decided to part ways with Juan Carlos Ferrero and appoint Samuel López, previously Ferrero’s deputy, as his head coach. Alcaraz’s coaching decision was the source of much speculation and criticism this offseason. Alcaraz says he is happy that he has silenced the doubters.
“I wasn’t thinking about the people who questioned it,” he said. “I came here just to play for myself, for my team. We all know how hard I worked in preparation to be ready for this tournament, and I had too many things to think about during this tournament. Just concentrate on my playing style, focus on myself, be passionate, and that’s all I thought about during this tournament. But once I figured it out, I’m happy to prove all the people wrong.”
Alcaraz has commemorated his first titles at each Grand Slam with a tattoo. After Sunday’s victory, he is already planning a kangaroo tattoo on one of his legs: “I said it will be a small kangaroo. It will definitely be in the leg. I don’t know which one is right, which one is left. So I have to choose a good place, but it will definitely be close to the French Open or Wimbledon. I just have to choose.”
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