Alcaraz completes career slam with Australian title

Carlos Alcaraz secured his first Australian Open title on Sunday after beating Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 in a heated four-set final on Rod Laver Arena. 

The world number one, aged 22 years and 272 days, became the youngest man to complete a Career Grand Slam in the Open Era, surpassing Rafael Nadal’s mark. 

Thee win gives Alcaraz seven Slams total, tying legends like McEnroe, while Djokovic remains at 24. The match had Alcaraz’ compatriot, Rafael Nadal, in attendance, witnessing his match for the first time in his pro career.

Djokovic moved quickly through the first set, breaking Alcaraz twice, first at 2-1 after two advantages, then strengthening that for a 4-1 lead with precise forehand returns.

The 10-time champion, playing at a high level post his semi-final marathon against Jannik Sinner, took the set 6-2 in 33 minutes, with minimal errors to spare.

Gears shifted in the second set at 1-1. On Djokovic’s serve at 15-15, Alcaraz’s forehand struck the net cord, dropping dead on the Serb’s side for a fluky break that marked his comeback. 

He broke again in the seventh game and held firm to level the match, forcing Djokovic to take a bathroom break as the roof partially closed.

Alcaraz carried the surge into the third set, breaking at 3-3 with a powerful return of an around-the-net lob, then won five of the last six games for a 6-3 edge. In the fourth, Djokovic saved six break points in game two amid crowd roars, but Alcaraz stayed locked in.

Serving at 6-5, Alcaraz faced a tense final game; Djokovic netted a forehand on match point after 3 hours and 2 minutes, collapsing the Spaniard to the court. 

Alcaraz converted 4 of 9 break chances, outlasting Djokovic’s 2 of 11, and completing his career grand slam. 

In the women’s side, Elena Rybakina won her second grand slam title after beating world number one, Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday. The 26-year-old avenged her 2023 Australian Open final defeat with a 4-6 6-4 4-6 scoreline. 

Currently ranked at number five in the world, the Russian came back from a lost second set to take the third set, refusing to succumb to her opponent.

The win puts her  grand slam exploits  at 2/4 , with the French and US Open left to conquer.