Carlos Alcaraz is the new king of the Australian Open after defeating Novak Djokovic in the final of the hard-court Grand Slam.
Iga Swiatek has congratulated Alcaraz on his Australian Open title, which he clinched after a 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 victory.
Alcaraz has been praised by Djokovic following his success, which also means he has completed the career Grand Slam.
He is now one of nine male players to achieve the feat, although 22-year-old Alcaraz has made history as the youngest such champion.
Grade Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open performance out of 10…
Carlos Alcaraz becomes first player to beat Novak Djokovic in Australian Open final
Alcaraz’s stunning achievement has caught the attention of the entire sporting world, but he’s also just made history in another regard.
Thanks to the victory, the Spaniard has just become the first player to beat Djokovic in the final of an Australian Open.
Beforehand, the Serbian ATP legend had reached 10 finals in Melbourne, and had hugely impressively won all 10.
But he’s now suffered a career-first after three hours and two minutes of high-quality tennis, fittingly against the ATP number one.
| Result | Year | Opponent | Score |
| Win | 2008 | Jo-Wilfried Tsonga | 4–6, 6–4, 6–3, 7–6(7–2) |
| Win | 2011 | Andy Murray | 6–4, 6–2, 6–3 |
| Win | 2012 | Rafael Nadal | 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–7(5–7), 7–5 |
| Win | 2013 | Andy Murray | 6–7(2–7), 7–6(7–3), 6–3, 6–2 |
| Win | 2015 | Andy Murray | 7–6(7–5), 6–7(4–7), 6–3, 6–0 |
| Win | 2016 | Andy Murray | 6–1, 7–5, 7–6(7–3) |
| Win | 2019 | Rafael Nadal | 6–3, 6–2, 6–3 |
| Win | 2020 | Dominic Thiem | 6–4, 4–6, 2–6, 6–3, 6–4 |
| Win | 2021 | Daniil Medvedev | 7–5, 6–2, 6–2 |
| Win | 2023 | Stefanos Tsitsipas | 6–3, 7–6(7–4), 7–6(7–5) |
| Loss | 2026 | Carlos Alcaraz | 6–2, 2–6, 3–6, 5–7 |
Pat Cash congratulates ‘phenomenal’ career Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz
Despite being only 22 years old, Alcaraz is now already a seven-time Grand Slam champion, having also lost a major final.
Reacting to his stunning feat, former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “To win all four at this age is quite phenomenal.”
He also commented: “Alcaraz, after that first set, barely missed a ball. There were very few unforced errors and he forced Novak to play his best tennis and serve his best to stay in the match. Novak kept fighting and fighting. Well done to both players.”
Alcaraz is rightfully earning the plaudits after his display, but Djokovic certainly deserves credit for his efforts.
The 38-year-old certainly challenged his opponent, who is 16 years his junior, during their intense and entertaining battle at Rod Laver Arena.
Both players are now heading for intriguing futures, with Alcaraz certain to clinch more success as Djokovic surely edges closer to retirement.
Who finishes their career on more majors – Alcaraz or Djokovic?
It was a simply amazing run from the veteran, who definitely rode his luck but also showed that class is permanent throughout his time in Melbourne.
Given his history at the event, a lengthy run was always possible, but arguably nobody could have foreseen it ending with a runner-up spot.
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