Daijiworld Media Network - Melbourne

Melbourne, Feb 1: Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz made history on Sunday, clinching his first Australian Open men’s singles title and becoming the youngest man in the Open Era to achieve a career Grand Slam. The 22-year-old overcame Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 in a gripping final, handing the Serbian his first defeat in 11 Australian Open championship matches.

Alcaraz started nervously, dropping the opening set as Djokovic dominated with aggressive baseline play. But the world No.1 Spaniard quickly found his rhythm, breaking Djokovic twice in the second set to level the match. The third set showcased Alcaraz at his all-court best, trading stunning rallies and demonstrating remarkable composure under pressure.

Djokovic, bidding for a record 25th Grand Slam and a historic milestone as the oldest major winner, fought valiantly in the fourth set, saving six break points early on. However, Alcaraz broke serve decisively in the 12th game to seal a three-hour, two-minute victory, continuing his meteoric rise in men’s tennis.

With this win, Alcaraz becomes a seven-time Grand Slam champion, equalling John McEnroe and Mats Wilander on the all-time list. His victory also extends the dominance of himself and fellow young rival Jannik Sinner, who together have claimed the last nine major titles since Djokovic’s 2023 US Open triumph.

Alcaraz’s achievement places him among an elite group of eight male players to complete a career Grand Slam, joining legends Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Djokovic. He now cements his status as one of the brightest stars of his generation, blending youthful agility with mental toughness on tennis’s biggest stage.

The final, a showcase of resilience and skill, demonstrated Alcaraz’s ability to recover from a shaky start and dominate against one of the greatest champions in the sport, signaling a new era in men’s tennis.