MELBOURNE (AUSTRALIA) (ITALPRESS) – Carlos Alcaraz makes history in Melbourne. In the eyes of Rafael Nadal, the number one in the world comes from such and beats Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open 2026 final. 2-6 6-2 6-3 7-5, in three hours and 5 minutes of play, the score in favor of the Spanish tennis player, who won the last Slam title he missed. After two Roland Garros (2024, 2025), two Wimbledon (2023, 2024) and two Us Open (2022, 2025), the murcian completes the Career Grand Slam: it is the ninth to do so, after Agassi, Don Budge, Djokovic Emerson, Federer, Nadal and Fred Perry, and the youngest in tennis history to succeed, at the age of only 22 years and 272 days. I took the primacy to Don Budge, who in 1938, at 22 and 363 days, closed the Career Grand Slam winning the Roland Garros.
Alcaraz became the second Spanish in history, after Nadal (2009, 2022), to win the Australian Open. With the success on the ground Down Under, the 22-year-old of Murcia became the youngest in the Open Era to reach seven Slams: beaten Bjorn Borg (23 years and 4 days). Alcaraz wins Us Open and Australian Open: it is the seventh in the Open Era to succeed, after Ken Rosewall (1970-71), Pete Sampras (1993-94, 1996-97), Agassi (1994-95, 1999-2000), Federer (2005-06, 2006-07), Djokovic (2011-12, 2015-16, 2018-19) and Jannik Sinner (2024-25).
“What Djokovic did inspires me, especially the hard work he does with his team. And it was an honor to share the field with him and play in front of a legend like Nadal, seeing him here in the forum is a privilege. I thank my team, only they know how hard I worked to win this tournament. The preseason was a Russian mountain, we kept our heads down and we worked so hard. The support of the public and fans throughout the tournament was incredible,” said Alcaraz, who beats for the fourth time in a Slam Djokovic, becoming the third for Serbian victories in the Majors behind Nadal (11) and Federer (6).
The 38-year-old from Belgrade is missing the 25th Slam, which makes up the first career defeat in an Australian Open final, after the triumphs in 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023. “Compliments in Alcaraz, who made an incredible tournament and match. What you’re doing is historical and I wish you the best for the rest of your career. I thank my support team, it was not an easy path. I always believed in myself, although I didn’t think I could get to the final, especially playing against guys like Sinner and Alcaraz. The public has given me great love and encouragement, we will see what will happen between 6 or 12 months”, Djokovic’s statements.
Atp Alcaraz ranks at 13.650 points and extends to +3.350 on Sinner, according to 10.300. Djokovic takes the third position (5,280) over Zverev (4,605). Fifth Musetti at 4.405 in front of de Minaur (4.080) and Fritz (3.940). It is confirmed in top ten Bublik, 10° to 3.235.
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
