Carlos Alcaraz has made history by becoming the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam. The Spanish tennis star achieved this remarkable feat by winning the Australian Open on January 28, 2024, defeating the legendary Novak Djokovic in a thrilling final. Djokovic, who had an impressive record of ten consecutive victories in finals at Melbourne Park, started strong but ultimately could not maintain his momentum.
Alcaraz faced an uphill battle after dropping the first set 2-6. However, he rallied to win the next three sets, finishing the match with scores of 6-2, 6-3, 7-5. As he exited the court, Alcaraz left a heartfelt message on the TV camera, stating, “Job finished. 4/4 Complete.”
The 22-year-old displayed exceptional resilience throughout the match, retrieving shots that would typically be winners for Djokovic. Both players engaged in extended rallies, showcasing their skills and determination, with neither willing to concede easily. Upon securing his victory, Alcaraz fell to the ground in disbelief before embracing his coaches and family in the stands.
In his post-match comments, Alcaraz expressed gratitude to his support team, including his new coach, Samuel Lopez, who took over from longtime mentor Juan Carlos Ferrero at the end of the previous season. He remarked, “Nobody knows how hard I’ve been working to get this trophy. I just chased this moment so much.” Alcaraz attributed his success to the dedication and encouragement from those around him, noting the emotional challenges he faced during the pre-season.
Djokovic, who was pursuing an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title, acknowledged Alcaraz’s achievement with admiration during the trophy presentation. “First and foremost, congratulations to an amazing tournament and amazing couple of weeks,” he said. “What you’ve been doing, the best word to describe is historic, legendary, so congratulations. I wish the best of luck in the rest of your career.”
The match lasted just over three hours, and both athletes showcased remarkable fitness and stamina, having fought through five-set semifinal matches to reach the final. Alcaraz converted 5 of 16 breakpoints, while Djokovic managed to convert 2 of 6, highlighting the competitive nature of the encounter.
Djokovic’s bid for a record-setting 25th title has now been thwarted by either Alcaraz or fellow player Jannik Sinner for the last nine major tournaments. Djokovic had edged past Sinner in the semifinals and aimed to become the oldest man to win a Grand Slam title in the Open era.
Rafael Nadal, another tennis icon with 22 major titles, was present in the stands to witness the historic final. Both players took a moment to acknowledge him. Djokovic humorously remarked on the overwhelming presence of Spanish talent, saying, “It felt like it was two against one tonight.” Alcaraz expressed his admiration, stating, “I know you were watching me when I was like 15, 14 years old, so it’s been a long time. But, yeah, for me, it’s such an honor playing in front of you.”
At just 22 years and 272 days old, Alcaraz surpassed the previous record held by Don Budge, who completed the Grand Slam at 22 years and 363 days in 1938. With this victory, Alcaraz now holds seven major titles, including one Australian Open, two Wimbledon titles, and two each at the French Open and the U.S. Open. He joins an elite group of players, including Djokovic, Nadal, and Roger Federer, as one of only nine men to achieve a career Grand Slam.
