Carlos Alcaraz will be on cloud nine for some time after claiming his first-ever title at the Australian Open.
Alcaraz had never made it beyond the quarterfinals of the Australian Open before this year’s tournament, which he won to complete the career Grand Slam.
Moreover, Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final, representing the first player to ever achieve that feat.
He won their final 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5, having also beaten the likes of Alexander Zverev and Alex de Minaur along the way.
Who finishes their career on more majors – Alcaraz or Djokovic?
Carlos Alcaraz loved seeing Samuel Lopez receive an Australian Open trophy
Alcaraz was beaming with joy upon the collection of his Australian Open trophy, but the ATP number one has now shared his joy at being joined by Samuel Lopez at the closing ceremony.
As ever, the winning coach of the hard-court Grand Slam received a trophy too, something the new champion wasn’t aware of.
Alcaraz told AS: “The tournament does a great job in that regard. I didn’t know about it; it was my first time at a trophy ceremony in Australia, and I didn’t know that was done.
“I think it’s a fantastic initiative because it gives recognition to the champion’s coach; it’s not just the player’s job.
“It’s wonderful, and when I saw him there, I was so happy because I know Samuel has been working toward this moment his whole life. For me, he’s one of the best coaches – if not the best – you can have on a tennis court today.
“For me, it was a magical and incredibly special moment: hugging him after the last point and also seeing him there, with everyone recognizing what he deserves.”
Will Carlos Alcaraz win the Calendar Slam in 2026?
If not, which Grand Slam is he going to fail to win?
How did Carlos Alcaraz win the Australian Open?
Alcaraz’s coaching team were particularly under the spotlight in Melbourne, with the world number one missing one notable figure.
Juan Carlos Ferrero and Alcaraz split in the off-season, with that decision shocking many within the sport, and potentially derailing the player’s early 2026 plans.
READ MORE: Iga Swiatek reacts after Carlos Alcaraz beats Novak Djokovic to win the Australian Open
But the latter has just proven that he is capable of success without the former by his side, although Ferrero does still deserve huge credit for helping Alcaraz become the player he is.
The ATP superstar was ruthless for the majority of the tournament, only dropping sets in the semifinal and final.
| Round | Opponent | Score |
| First round | Adam Walton | 6-3, 7-6(7-2), 6-2 |
| Second round | Yannick Hanfmann | 7-6(7-4), 6-3, 6-2 |
| Third round | Corentin Moutet [32] | 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 |
| Fourth round | Tommy Paul [19] | 7-6(8-6), 6-4, 7-5 |
| Quarterfinal | Alex de Minaur [6] | 7-5, 6-2, 6-1 |
| Semifinal | Alexander Zverev [3] | 6-4, 7-6(7-5), 6-7(3-7), 6-7(4-7), 7-5 |
| Final | Novak Djokovic [4] | 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 |
Zverev certainly threatened his run, but even an injury-hit Alcaraz had enough in the tank to come out on top.
Of course, Djokovic did the same in the final by winning the opening set, but the Spanish star proved his ability and mental strength to emerge victorious.
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