Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest man to achieve the Career Grand Slam on Sunday, by winning the Australian Open for the first time. He defeated ten-time winner Novak Djokovic in four sets, ending the Serb’s unbeaten record in Australian Open finals. The final went right to the wire, as Carlos Alcaraz broke Novak Djokovic’s serve to win the fourth set 7-5, avoiding a tiebreak and a potential fifth set in doing so.

The Spaniard has won all four Grand Slams at the age of 22 years and 272 days, breaking his fellow compatriot Rafael Nadal’s record of 24 years and 102 days, who was ironically in attendance yesterday to witness history from the stands of the Rod Laver Arena. What is even more ironic and is a testimony to Novak Djokovic’s longevity, is that, in 2010 at the final of the US Open when Nadal made history, the man that was standing on the other side of the net was the same man standing opposite to Carlos Alcaraz 16 years later. Novak Djokovic has been playing tennis at the highest level for so long, that he was able to be part of the stories of two players of two completely different generations.

This final was arguably the most legacy-defining final in tennis history, seeing as there were two historic potential outcomes. Carlos Alcaraz broke Nadal’s record, becoming the youngest man ever to achieve the career Grand Slam. On the other hand, Novak Djokovic could’ve won his 25^th major title, becoming the oldest man to win a Grand Slam, leaving his unbeaten record in Australian Open finals intact and extending his record for most majors. It’s hard to think about another final with more significance than the 2026 Australian Open final. Carlos Alcaraz has now won seven Grand Slams and has broadened the gap to Jannik Sinner for the World No. 1 spot by 2800 points.

He has withdrawn from the Rotterdam Open and won’t be defending his title, seeing as he needs more time to recover, after having played two gruelling matches, namely the semifinals against Alexander Zverev and the final against Novak Djokovic.