Alcaraz Wins First Australian Open Title

Carlos Alcaraz forged a Melbourne milestone to secure tennis history on Sunday night at the Australian Open.

The No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings overcame a shaky start to defeat Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 and claim his maiden title at the hard-court major in Melbourne. By inflicting a first defeat on Djokovic in 11 Australian Open finals, the 22-year-old Alcaraz became the youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam — lifting the trophy at all four majors — in the Open Era.

“I think nobody knows how hard I have been working to get this trophy. I chased this moment so much,” said Alcaraz, who was contesting his first major since ending his partnership with his coach of seven years, Juan Carlos Ferrero, in December. “Preseason was a little bit of a rollercoaster emotionally… [My team] was just pushing me to do the right things every day, so I have to say I’m really grateful for everyone I have in my corner right now.”

After an uncharacteristically flat opening set in which Djokovic came out firing, Alcaraz locked in from the baseline to take control of his first Australian Open final. The Spaniard broke his rival’s serve twice en route to the second set and appeared back to his free-flowing best in a third set featuring several stunning all-court exchanges.

Djokovic dug deep in typical fashion in the fourth, fending off six break points to hold in the second game. But the 38-year-old was unable to counter and maintain his perfect championship-match record on Rod Laver Arena. Alcaraz broke decisively in the 12th game of the fourth set to seal a three-hour, two-minute win and ensure Djokovic’s wait for an all-time record 25th Grand Slam title goes on.

“Congratulations Carlos. An amazing tournament, an amazing couple of weeks. To your coach, to your family, to your team. What you have been doing, I think the best words to describe it are historic, legendary,” said Djokovic, before light-heartedly adding: “So congratulations and I wish you the best of luck for the rest of the career. You are so young, you have a lot of time like myself. So I’m sure we will be seeing each other many more times in the next 10 years.”

Alcaraz added: “I want to talk about Novak. He deserves an ovation for sure. You talk about me doing amazing things, but what you are doing is really inspiring, not just for tennis players but athletes around the world. Just putting in the right work every day with your team at every tournament you go to, and playing such great tennis… For me it is an honour to share the locker room and the court [with you], and watching you play. Thank you very much for what you are doing.”

- Author: Andy West, ATP TOUR