![\"Spanish](\"https:\/\/www.geo.tv\/assets\/uploads\/updates\/2026-02-01\/648407_3304682_updates.jpg\")
Carlos Alcaraz swept past Novak Djokovic to win his first Australian Open on Sunday and become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam, denying the Serbian great an unprecedented 25th major.<\/p>\n
The Spaniard was imperious after a slow start in dismissing the 38-year-old, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 on Rod Laver Arena to claim a seventh Slam title and cement himself as undisputed world number one.<\/p>\n
In doing so, he became the youngest man in the Open era to win all four majors, adding to his two titles each from Wimbledon and the French and US Opens.<\/p>\n
At 22, he surpassed legendary countryman Rafael Nadal \u2014 in the crowd to witness the feat \u2014 who was two years older when he did the same.<\/p>\n
A seventh Slam put him alongside John McEnroe and Mats Wilander and one behind Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl.<\/p>\n
It was a first defeat for Djokovic in a Melbourne final, having won all 10 previously, leaving him still searching for a landmark 25th major to better Australia\u2019s Margaret Court, who was also watching on centre court.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Djokovic, striving to become the oldest man to lift a Grand Slam singles trophy, last won one at the US Open in 2023. Since then, Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have shared the spoils.<\/p>\n
Both men battled through five long sets in their semi-finals, Alcaraz against Alexander Zverev and Djokovic with Sinner, and recovery was always going to be key after their physical struggles.<\/p>\n
But they showed few signs of fatigue in another gladiatorial contest.<\/p>\n
They both opened with comfortable holds before a double fault and netted forehand presented the first break point chance for Djokovic at 2-1.<\/p>\n
Alcaraz saved it, but the aggressive fourth seed kept pressing and converted on his third, then consolidated for a 4-1 lead.<\/p>\n
Djokovic was reading Alcaraz\u2019s serve well and once he got in the rallies was authoritative, with a sensational forehand winner earning him two set points.<\/p>\n
He claimed the set in a statement 33 minutes after a ninth unforced error from the top seed, having dominated the big moments.<\/p>\n
It was vintage Djokovic, but Alcaraz came storming back, upping the tempo to break for 2-1 in the second set, pumping his fist when he saved a break point and held in the next game.<\/p>\n
Djokovic put drops to his eyes and began rubbing them, unable to tame a now rampant Alcaraz who broke again for 5-2.<\/p>\n
There were some sensational rallies that had the crowd on their feet in set three, which went with serve until Djokovic slapped a forehand wide under pressure to slip 2-3 behind.<\/p>\n
He gamely saved four set points at 3-5 but with his energy levels dropping was unable to save a fifth as the Spaniard took control.<\/p>\n
On the back foot, Djokovic then saved six break points in an 11-minute opening service game in set four to stay alive and kept fighting hard.<\/p>\n
But Alcaraz ground him down and pounced as Djokovic served to stay in the match to seal a maiden Australian championship.<\/p>\n
It ensured he remained world number one and Sinner two, with Djokovic moving up a place to three ahead of Zverev.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n