Australian Open 2026: Alcaraz, a historic first title

At the end of an Australian Open that featured blossoming talents and a host of surprises in the first week followed by epic semi-final encounters, Carlos Alcaraz won the seventh Major title of his career, becoming the youngest man ever to reach this symbolic milestone as well as the youngest man ever to complete the Career Grand Slam.  

“It's an honour to put my name in the history books”

For the second time in two days, Carlos Alcaraz lay down on the floor of Rod Laver Arena, filled with the overwhelming joy and emotion that is characteristic of such career-defining victories. Having grappled to defeat Alexander Zverev in the longest-ever semi-final in Australian Open history (6-4 7-6(4) 6-7(3) 6-7(4) 7-5 in 5 hours 27 min), the World No.1 became the youngest ever male player – all eras combined – to reach the final of all four Grand Slam tournaments (at age 22 years and 270 days). In the final stage of the competition, he came up against Novak Djokovic, who had put in an outstanding performance to beat the two-time defending champion and winner of the Rolex Paris Masters 2025, Jannik Sinner (3-6 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-4 in 4 hours 9 min).

Coming into the final with ten titles to his name in ten finals played at Melbourne Park, the seven-time winner of the Rolex Paris Masters had the opportunity to cement his status as the greatest of all time by clinching his 25th Grand Slam title, a quest he has been on since winning his last Major title at the US Open 2023. But, despite serving up a masterclass in precision, power and quick-thinking in the first set and bringing his A-game in the fourth, “Nole” was finally pushed to breaking point on Sunday. Faster, even more accurate and harder to predict than his opponent, “Carlitos” only became stronger as the match progressed, competently dealing with the pressure of such an important event without neglecting his habitual showmanship.

After 3 hours and 2 minutes of top-quality action (2-6 6-2 6-3 7-5), the young maestro signed his name in the history books of tennis, joining Don Budge, Rod Laver, Rafael Nadal, Fred Perry, Roy Emerson, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andre Agassi in the elite circle of players to win all four Majors at least once in their career. “It's a great feeling. Completing a Career Grand Slam was something that was on my mind,” Alcaraz admitted during his post-victory press conference. “What I've learned this year is to appreciate and enjoy every single second of the moment you're living. Not only lifting the trophies, but playing tournaments, playing tennis, getting victories, getting loses. Whatever it is, just enjoy and appreciate the life you're living. So right now I'm just trying to have time to realise what I've been doing. Yeah, I know I'm making history with some trophies, some tournaments, some achievements that I've been getting. For me it's an honour to put my name in the history books.”

What’s next for the tennis titans?

Each raving about the other in the prizegiving ceremony and to the media, the Spaniard and the Serb look set to continue breaking records and making tennis history over the coming months. Though this potential is self-evident when it comes to Alcaraz, further glory also looks possible for the veteran of the tour, whose recent level of play has impressed even his most sceptical followers and whose campaign Down Under could well mark a turning point.

The last time that Novak Djokovic came this close to achieving his ultimate career goal was the 2024 Wimbledon final, which he lost to…Carlos Alcaraz. “I have belief, and I have always confidence and vision to win a Slam, another Slam anywhere, to win anywhere where I play, but I did not expect it. That's different. Expectations, I lowered my expectations the last couple of years, which also, I think, allows me to be able to let go of some of that unnecessary additional stress,” the 38-year-old explained. “I managed to beat Jannik [Sinner], who is double defending champion here and won the last whatever, four, five matches against me, in five sets, very proud of that. Incredible match, incredible achievement. But, you know, you're speaking to me ten minutes after I lost the final, so of course I'm going to be a little bit bitter about losing. But, again, I lost to a No.1 in the world and already a legendary player.”

Meanwhile, Samuel Lopez’s protégé is continuing to break records and amass prestigious titles, but has understandably not yet won everything in his short career. “I hate losing [smiles], so that's my motivation. Trying to lose as little as I can. Yeah, there are some tournaments that I really want to win at least once. A few Masters 1000, I just really want to complete all the Masters 1000, trying to win at least once, every Masters. Obviously the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup. The Davis Cup, it is a goal as well. I really want to achieve that for my country, for Spain. I set up some other goals for the season, and I will try to be ready for, or to try to get those goals,” he concluded.

Will Alcaraz manage to add to his list of historic firsts in 2026 by etching his name on the trophy at the Rolex Paris Masters? We’ll find out at the Paris La Defense Arena from 31st October to 8th November!