Carlos Alcaraz has just obliterated Rafael Nadal record in Australian Open final | Tennis | Sport
Carlos Alcaraz has now won the career Grand Slam aged just 22 (Image: Getty Images)
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final to surpass Rafael Nadal’s record and become the youngest tennis player to complete a career Grand Slam in the Open era. The world No.1 dropped the opening set 6-2 at Rod Laver Arena, but claimed the following three 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 to secure his maiden Melbourne triumph. Alcaraz, 22, has now captured each of the other three majors on two occasions. Yet prior to this year, the Spaniard had consistently fallen short in Australia.
Following quarter-final defeats in the previous two years, including against Djokovic 12 months ago, he reached his first final this time. Alcaraz gained revenge and dispatched the 10-time Australian Open champion in slightly over three hours. 2026 represented the Spaniard’s final opportunity to become the youngest in tennis history to achieve the feat and eclipse an 88-year-old benchmark established by Don Budge in 1938 at 22 years and 363 days – whilst Nadal possessed the Open era record.
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Alcaraz accomplished this at 22 years and 272 days, more than a year younger than Nadal in 2010 (24 years and 101 days), and also betters Rod Laver’s 1962 achievement (24 years, 32 days). Nadal was present at Rod Laver Arena to witness his fellow countryman make tennis history and claim the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup. Alcaraz now possesses seven Grand Slam singles titles, the youngest to attain that figure, eclipsing Bjorn Borg’s record.
This latest major triumph also puts the Spaniard three victories clear of rival Jannik Sinner, whom Djokovic defeated in the semi-finals. The Italian would need to claim all of this year’s remaining Grand Slams to match Alcaraz.
Djokovic, 38, was two sets away from becoming the outright all-time leader in Grand Slam singles titles with 25 following a near-perfect opening set. Nevertheless, the Serbian battled physically in the second and third sets, and despite rallying in the fourth, couldn’t force a deciding set in his 38th Grand Slam final.
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Rafael Nadal was in Melbourne to watch the Australian Open final (Image: Getty Images)
He would have also become the oldest man to claim a title in the Open Era, surpassing Ken Rosewall, the Australian who secured the Melbourne major in 1972 aged 37, and who was present at Rod Laver Arena. Margaret Court was also at Melbourne Park and remains tied with Djokovic on 24 Grand Slam triumphs.
Djokovic praised Alcaraz afterwards. He said: “Thank you very much, first and foremost, congratulations to Carlos, amazing tournament, amazing couple of weeks, what you have been doing, the best way to describe it is historic.
“Congratulations, I wish you the best of luck for the rest of your career. You have a lot of time ahead of you, like myself, I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other over the next 10 years… not!”
He also recognised the presence of his long-time rival, Nadal. Djokovic said: “I want to speak to the legendary Rafa, who is in the stands. Just a few words, it feels weird seeing you there and not here.
“I just want to say it’s been an honour to share the court and have you watch. It’s a strange feeling, but thank you for being present. There are too many Spanish legends here tonight; it felt like two against one.”
