Alcaraz Completes Career Grand Slam After Winning 2026 Australian Open

On Sunday 1 February, at the Rod Laver Arena, World No.1, Carlos Alcaraz, defeated Novak Djokovic in four sets (2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5) to win the 2026 Australian Open. Not only did the Spaniard claim his maiden Melbourne title, but he also carved his name into tennis history by becoming the youngest male player to complete the Career Grand Slam, a feat achieved by capturing all four major singles titles. At 22 years and 272 days old, Alcaraz surpassed the 88-year-old record held by American Don Budge (22 years, 363 days) who won the 1938 Roland Garros to complete his set of major titles.

By claiming victory in three hours and two minutes, the 22-year-old became the youngest man in the Open Era to win seven Grand Slam singles titles

The victory also places Alcaraz among the sport’s most exclusive company; he is only the sixth man to complete the Career Grand Slam in the Open Era after Rod Laver (in 1969), Andre Agassi (1999), Roger Federer (2009), Rafael Nadal (2010), and Novak Djokovic (2016). Yet, what distinguishes this achievement is not simply its rarity, but its speed. By claiming victory in three hours and two minutes, the 22-year-old not only smashed Budge’s record but also became the youngest man in the Open Era to win seven Grand Slam singles titles.

For much of the opening set, however, history for Alcaraz was momentarily postponed. Djokovic, chasing a record-breaking 25th major, began with trademark precision. The Serbian used pinpoint tee serves, winning 93 percent of his first serve points, and took the first set 6-2, consolidating an early break and briefly quietening the chants of “Vamos Carlitos.”

Nevertheless, the match quickly shifted in both rhythm and resolve. Alcaraz completed 48 sprints while Djokovic completed just 22, underscoring the physical intensity the younger Spaniard injected into the contest. Patience also became decisive, with Alcaraz winning 14 long rallies to nine in the final three sets of the match, reversing the dynamic of the opener and forcing Djokovic into uncharacteristic risk-taking.

What began as control from Djokovic gradually became resistance, and eventually concession

The errors mounted, with the Serbian recording a total of 46 unforced errors throughout the four-set match: his highest throughout the entire tournament, with 31 coming in the final two sets alone. What began as control from Djokovic gradually became resistance, and eventually concession. Serving at 5-6 in the fourth set to force a tiebreak, he instead watched his forehand drift long on the first of two championship points, handing the top seed the victory.

If this was a coronation for Alcaraz, it was a reflection for Djokovic. The Serb had entered 10-0 in Melbourne deciders, and for the first time in his career, he left 10-1. Yet in defeat, he was magnanimous. Addressing his conqueror, Djokovic said, “What you’ve been doing, the best words to describe it is historic, legendary.” He later added, “He definitely is one of the best players I’ve ever faced in my career…He makes you play your best
tennis in order to beat him.”

There was humour, too. In his on-court speech, Djokovic quipped, “You’re so young, you have a lot of time, like myself,” before adding, “I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other many more times in the next 10 years… not!” The laughter that followed could not entirely disguise the uncertainty beneath. In what may prove the most revealing moment of the evening, he admitted, “God knows what happens tomorrow, let alone in six months or twelve months,” before finishing with “it has been a great ride.” For a player chasing Margaret Court’s all-time mark of 24 major singles titles, the loss stings statistically.

The World Number One has shown remarkable composure in major finals, securing victory in seven of eight

Meanwhile, Alcaraz’s trajectory only accelerates beyond Melbourne. The World Number One has shown remarkable composure in major finals, securing victory in seven of eight: a 87.5% winning rate. His seventh slam arrived in just his 20th major appearance, a rate surpassed in the Open Era only by Björn Borg. The dominance shared with Jannik Sinner, with the pair now responsible for the last nine Grand Slam titles, signals a consolidation of power at the summit of men’s tennis.

Yet amid the data and milestones, one image lingers: Djokovic standing at the net, smiling, and embracing the 22-year-old who has grown up studying his game. Despite suffering defeat, the moment was still triumphant for the 38-year-old. Not because he won, but because he recognised greatness when he saw it. On a night where records fell and eras overlapped, Carlos Alcaraz did more than win a tennis match: he completed the set; and in doing so, he may have closed a chapter as much as opened one.