In his young career, Carlos Alcaraz has accomplished a stunning amount. He is still only 22 years old, and has already won a stunning seven Major titles, good for 14th place (tied) on the all-time list. In 2022, he became the youngest-ever male World #1. He followed that up by ending that season at #1, and he ended 2025 at #1 as well. Now, he has added to that impressive resume, as he completed his set of Major trophies at the Australian Open–becoming the youngest-ever player to win all four.
Carlos Alcaraz def. Novak Djokovic 2-6 6-2 6-3 7-5
The match certainly didn’t start like Alcaraz would be winning it. Djokovic came out looking like his vintage self, hitting every ball clean and deep. It looked like we were watching Djokovic in 2016, not 2026, and the Serb raced to an early lead. Alcaraz could do absolutely nothing to trouble Djokovic, and the first set quickly went away, 6-2 in Djokovic’s favor.
After that, though, the match went entirely in the Spaniard’s favor. Djokovic disappeared in the second set, unable to make first serves and spraying unforced errors. That set went just as quickly in Alcaraz’s favor as the first went in Djokovic’s, and we were back to even.
Djokovic did pick up his level in the third set, but he appeared to struggle physically as it went on. Meanwhile, Alcaraz upped his game as the match progressed, finally matching consistent Djokovic aggression with elite defense. Just as in the second set, Alcaraz broke the Serb twice, this time winning it 6-3.
Djokovic came out fighting in the fourth set, holding his first service game in an absolute marathon, saving six break points in over 12 minutes. The Serb served better throughout the set, and as the fourth set went on it became a set truly worthy of this final. Both held serve relatively easily until 4-4, when Djokovic finally found a break point chance. Alcaraz saved it, then went on to hold. Three games later, the Djokovic serve faltered, and Alcaraz had yet another crowning achievement in his young career.
Carlos Alcaraz’s Career Grand Slam
Alcaraz has won each of the other Majors twice. He won his first US Open in 2022 (and again in 2025). He won Wimbledon in 2023 and 2024, and the French Open in 2024 and 2025. The Australian Open was the toughest, as it’s been dominated by Djokovic and Jannik Sinner since Alcaraz came onto the scene. Djokovic took out Sinner in the semifinals this year, and Alcaraz finished off the Grand Slam by defeating Djokovic.
The sky is the limit for this young Spaniard. He has said, numerous times, that he wants to be the best ever. That’s a very high mountain to climb… but he’s certainly off to a strong start.
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
