Tennis has crowned a new king, with Carlos Alcaraz beating living legend Novak Djokovic in the pair’s heavyweight Australian Open title match to become the youngest man to complete a Grand Slam career.
The world number 1 rallied from a set down to deny Djokovic an unprecedented 25th Major Singles triumph with a thrilling 2-6 6-2 6-3 7-5 win at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday evening.
By handing Djokovic a first defeat in 11 finals at Melbourne Park, Alcaraz added a maiden Australian Open title to his two trophies from the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.
The Spanish sensation joins Don Budge, Fred Perry, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Djokovic as the ninth man to win all four of the sport’s annual majors.
And at just 22 years and 272 days old, he is the youngest to achieve this rare feat.
Budge, an American, was 91 days older when he completed the full set at the 1938 French Open.
Alcaraz has now won seven slams – surpassing stars such as Stefan Edberg and Boris Becker and level with fellow all-time greats John McEnroe, John Newcombe and Mats Wilander – in just 20 major appearances.
‘It feels crazy’
Fittingly, Nadal had a front row seat when Mark Edmondson presented the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup to his compatriot on the 50th anniversary of his 1976 Open triumph.
“It’s a bit strange to see Rafael in the stands. It’s the first time, I think, if I’m not mistaken,” Alcaraz said.
“You watched me when I was 15, 14 years old, so it’s been a long time, but yeah, it’s such an honor to play for you.
“It feels like a dream come true. I dreamed of reaching the Australian Open to complete the Grand Slam career, so I’m lost now. I don’t even know what to say.
“But it feels crazy, to be honest.”
Alcaraz also paid tribute to his vanquished opponent, calling Djokovic an “inspiration”.
“He certainly deserves an ovation,” said the champion. “Because he does the great things he does.”
However, Djokovic accepted that the night belonged to Alcaraz.
“What you did, I think the best word to describe it is historic and legendary,” he said.
With both of them scoring epic marathon semi-final victories on Friday night, intrigue arose as to how the two gladiators would physically prepare for the blockbuster final.
At 38 years and 255 days, Djokovic had sought to become the oldest player in the Open era dating back to 1968 to win a men’s singles Grand Slam title.
Instead, the former world number 1 suffered his first final defeat on his RLA battlefield.
Having also won the French and US Open titles last year, Alcaraz now holds three of the four Grand Slam trophies.
And as they continue their dominance, Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner join Djokovic and Nadal as only the second pair ever to share nine consecutive grand slam titles.
Only Nadal and Federer, with 11 consecutive slams between 2005 and 2007, have had a longer stranglehold on the men’s majors.
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