Carlos Alcaraz beats Novak Djokovic to become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam

Carlos Alcaraz made tennis history Sunday at the Australian Open, becoming the youngest man ever to complete a career Grand Slam after defeating 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic in a thrilling four-set final.

The 22-year-old Spaniard overcame a shaky start to triumph 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5, ending Djokovic’s perfect 10-0 record in Australian Open finals and preventing the Serbian star from claiming an unprecedented 25th major title.

“Means the world to me,” Alcaraz said after the match. “It is a dream come true for me.”

Alcaraz, who entered the tournament as the world’s top-ranked player, found himself immediately on the defensive as Djokovic dominated the opening set in just 33 minutes. The 38-year-old Serbian, seeking to extend his record as the most decorated player in men’s tennis history, seemed poised to maintain his Melbourne Park supremacy.

However, the momentum shifted early in the second set when Djokovic committed several unforced errors, giving Alcaraz renewed confidence. The young Spaniard began showcasing his exceptional court coverage and powerful shotmaking, scrambling to retrieve balls that would typically be winners against most players.

“Tennis can change on just one point. One point, one feeling, one shot can change the whole match completely,” Alcaraz explained. “I played well the first set, but you know, in front of me I had a great and inspired Novak, who was playing great, great shots.”

The match featured numerous extended rallies where both players displayed extraordinary skill and athleticism. Despite trailing two sets to one, Djokovic—known for his remarkable ability to recover from difficult positions—nearly turned the match around in the fourth set’s ninth game after fending off six break points.

Sensing the moment, Djokovic urged the crowd on, drawing chants of “Nole, Nole, Nole!” When he earned his first break point opportunity since the second set, the crowd roared with anticipation. But Djokovic sent a crucial forehand long, giving Alcaraz a reprieve.

The Spaniard capitalized on the opportunity, securing the game and then winning two of the next three games to close out the victory. As he left the court, Alcaraz signed the television camera lens with a poignant message: “Job finished. 4/4 Complete.”

At 22 years and 272 days, Alcaraz broke the record previously held by Don Budge, who completed his career Grand Slam at 22 years and 363 days during the 1938 French Championships. Alcaraz joins an elite group of just nine men who have won all four major singles titles, including Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer.

The victory was particularly meaningful as Nadal, Alcaraz’s childhood idol, watched from the stands. “He’s my idol, my role model,” Alcaraz said of the 22-time major winner. “To complete the career Slam in front of him, it made it even more special.”

Djokovic graciously acknowledged his opponent’s achievement during the trophy ceremony. “What you’ve been doing, the best word to describe is historic, legendary,” he said before jokingly adding that there were “too many Spanish legends” in Rod Laver Arena, making it feel like “two against one tonight.”

The match capped a challenging tournament for both finalists, who each survived grueling five-set semifinals. Alcaraz had defeated No. 3 Alexander Zverev, while Djokovic’s victory over two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner had ended after 1:30 a.m. the previous day.

For Alcaraz, the victory follows a period of transition in his career. He parted ways with longtime coach Juan Carlos Ferrero at the end of last season, with Samuel Lopez stepping up to lead his team.

“Nobody knows how hard I’ve been working to get this trophy. I just chased this moment so much,” Alcaraz reflected. “The pre-season was a bit of a rollercoaster emotionally. You were pushing me every day to do all the right things. I’m just really grateful for everyone I have in my corner right now.”

Alcaraz’s Australian Open triumph adds to his growing collection of major titles, which now includes two Wimbledon championships, two French Open titles, and one U.S. Open crown. At just 22, his historic achievement suggests a bright future for the Spanish phenom in a sport long dominated by Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer.