Novak Djokovic’s quest for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title remains unfulfilled. The Serbian superstar, widely regarded as one of the greatest male tennis players of all time, fell short of surpassing Margaret Court’s all-time record for combined men’s and women’s Grand Slam victories.
Instead, history was made by Spain’s prodigious talent, 22-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, who defeated Djokovic 2–6, 6–2, 6–3, 7–5 to claim the Australian Open crown. By winning the previously elusive tournament, Alcaraz completed a career Grand Slam, becoming the youngest male player to achieve this feat, surpassing the record previously held by fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal.
This victory marks Alcaraz’s seventh Grand Slam title. Prior to this, he had secured two titles each at the US Open, Wimbledon, and the French Open. His rapid ascent in the tennis world has been marked by composure and consistency, culminating in this historic achievement on the Melbourne courts.
Both finalists had demonstrated immense resilience en route to the championship match, winning epic semi-finals. However, the final itself proved to be a gripping contest of momentum shifts and tactical brilliance. Opportunities for service breaks were rare, as both players largely held their serves with authority.
Djokovic, 36, started the match strongly, dominating the opening set in just 33 minutes, taking it 6–2. Yet Alcaraz quickly regained equilibrium, claiming the second set 6–2 in 36 minutes. The third set, ending 6–3 in Alcaraz’s favour, was fiercely contested over 51 minutes, with Djokovic saving four break points in the final game.
The fourth and final set proved to be the longest and most decisive. After 1 hour and 2 minutes of intense rallies, Alcaraz broke Djokovic’s serve for the first time in the 12th game, ultimately sealing the set 7–5. This victory awarded him the Norman Brooks Challenge Cup, marking his first Grand Slam triumph at the iconic Rod Laver Arena. For Djokovic, a record ten-time Australian Open champion, the elusive 25th major remained out of reach, and the record for the oldest male Grand Slam champion remains unbroken.
A summary of the final match scores is provided below:
| Set | Alcaraz | Djokovic | Set Winner | Duration (minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 6 | Djokovic | 33 |
| 2 | 6 | 2 | Alcaraz | 36 |
| 3 | 6 | 3 | Alcaraz | 51 |
| 4 | 7 | 5 | Alcaraz | 62 |
Alcaraz’s triumph not only cements his status as one of the sport’s brightest young stars but also adds a historic chapter to men’s tennis, as he achieves the career Grand Slam at an age when many are still rising in the sport. Djokovic, while disappointed, continues to exemplify longevity and excellence at the highest level.