Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz took to Rod Laver Arena on Sunday to face off in a blockbuster Australian Open final.
Djokovic was seeking to clinch a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, and first since the 2023 US Open.
Carlos Alcaraz has only ever lost one of SEVEN Grand Slam finals…
The Spaniard, on the other hand, looked to become the youngest player in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam.
Before they had even stepped on court, Djokovic and Alcaraz set an incredible all-time record.
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic make history in Melbourne
Aged 22 and 38 respectively, Alcaraz and Djokovic’s clash marked the Australian Open final with the biggest age gap in the Open Era, according to Opta Ace.
There is a 15-year and 349-day gap between the two, who have met in two previous Grand Slam finals.
Djokovic and Alcaraz first did battle in a major title bout at the 2023 Wimbledon championships, where the latter came out on top in five sets.
They met in the Wimbledon final again the year after, when Alcaraz beat Djokovic far more comfortably, winning in straight sets.
Record on the line for Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open
As well as becoming the outright leader in Grand Slam titles across men’s and women’s tennis history, another record is on the line for Djokovic.
Should he triumph, Djokovic will become the oldest Grand Slam winner in the Open Era.
He would surpass Ken Rosewall, who set the record back in 1972, aged 37 years and 2 months.
Who will win the Australian Open men’s singles final?
A win for Alcaraz will see him beat Rafael Nadal‘s record for the youngest player ever to complete the Career Grand Slam.
Nadal managed the feat at the 2010 US Open when he was 24 years old.
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