Australian Open stay: ‘Legendary’ Carlos Alcaraz completes profession grand slam as Novak Djokovic responds to defeat

Having received the French Open twice, Wimbledon twice and the US Open twice, Carlos Alcaraz is now simply one other Australian Open away from finishing the double profession grand slam.

For context, solely 4 have accomplished that earlier than. Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic (who’s the one participant to win the triple profession grand slam).

However Djokovic did it at 34 when he received a second French Open. Nadal did it at 35 when he received a second Australian Open.

Alcaraz may do it at 23 if he defends his Australian Open title subsequent 12 months!

Novak Djokovic paid tribute to the “legendary” Rafael Nadal in his runner-up speech on the Australian Open, after his former rival watched the ultimate from the stands.

Djokovic fell to a different extremely proficient Spaniard, Carlos Alcaraz, in 4 units as his bid for a standalone file twenty fifth main title fell quick.

Alcaraz triumphed 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 to write down historical past of his personal, turning into the youngest man in historical past and solely the ninth ever to file the profession grand slam – successful all 4 majors.

“Lots has modified since then. He has improved bodily, mentally, game-wise. He is always trying to innovate his recreation, which is precisely the form of mentality that must be nurtured for a champion.

“It is by no means sufficient by way of settling together with your recreation. You must progress. In any other case, you regress as a result of everybody else progresses.

”He has the whole lot, the entire bundle. Actually, as I stated, a pleasant man and really revered. So congrats to him, to his crew, to his household. I imply, he is solely 22. I imply, it is unbelievable.”

“The outcomes are a testomony to his already stellar profession. I am unable to consider another superlatives about him. He deserves each little bit of the reward that he will get from his friends, but additionally the entire tennis neighborhood.

“He is a really good, younger man. Good values, good household. After all, already a legendary tennis participant that made already an enormous mark within the historical past books of tennis, I imply, with solely 22 years of age.

“It is tremendous spectacular, little doubt about it. First time I performed him, he was, what, 11 or 12 years previous! No, he was, I believe, 18 or 19. You might already see that he is destined for nice issues.

“You noticed it. The primary set was the most effective units I’ve performed the final couple years. Then, I form of regained my vitality again and momentum in mid-fourth. Requested the group to become involved. They did.

“It was only a dangerous miss at 4-4 and break level. I had a superb take a look at that forehand. My forehand broke down in necessary moments.

“One or two pictures can change the momentum of the match and swap issues round, which occurred. I am simply very upset I wasn’t in a position to preserve that form of feeling that I had within the first set.

“There are lots of what-if situations in my head, and yeah, I suppose it’s what it’s. You must simply settle for it as it’s.”

“It is nice that I used to be in a position to beat Jannik [Sinner]in 5 and actually battle Carlos in 4 shut units,” Djokovic says when requested about whether or not this match has fuelled his perception that he can nonetheless win grand slams.

” I stay upset with the way in which I felt in second and third after an unimaginable begin. I felt nice about myself after which issues modified.

“It’s what it’s. That is sport, however after all, whenever you draw a line and also you make an evaluation of what occurred final couple of weeks, it is unimaginable achievement for me to have the ability to play finals, be couple of units away perhaps to win a championship.

“After all, after a loss, it is a bitter feeling, however however, I’ve to be content material with this outcome.”

What number of grand slam titles is Alcaraz going to finish up with then? He has reached seven sooner than anybody.

Carlos Alcaraz: 22 years 272 days, 2026 Australian Open

Bjorn Borg: 23 years 4 days, 1979 Roland Garros

Rafael Nadal: 24 years 3 days, 2010 Roland Garros

Mats Wilander: 24 years 21 days, 1988 US Open

Pete Sampras: 24 years 29 days, 1995 US Open

Roger Federer: 24 years 174 days, 2006 Australian Open

Rene Lacoste: 24 years 336 days, 1929 French Championships

Carlos Alcaraz: 22 years 272 days, accomplished at 2026 Australian Open

Don Budge: 22 years 363 days, accomplished at 1938 French Championships

Rod Laver: 24 years 32 days, accomplished at 1962 US Nationwide Championships

Rafael Nadal: 24 years 102 days, accomplished at2010 US Open

Fred Perry: 26 years 15 days, accomplished at 1935 French Championships

Roy Emerson: 27 years 244 days, accomplished at 1964 Wimbledon Championships

Roger Federer: 27 years 303 days, accomplished at 2009 Roland Garros

Novak Djokovic: 29 years 15 day, accomplished at 2016 Roland Garros

Andre Agassi: 29 years 68 days, accomplished at 1999 Roland Garros

After the electrical comebacks, the magical shot-making, and the fervour, perception and smile that had outlined his exceptional ascent, this was the second the place Carlos Alcaraz took the step from generational expertise to standing alone within the pantheon of the best tennis gamers of all time.

As Novak Djokovic sensed his alternative to make historical past, Alcaraz wrote his personal: by successful his first Australian Open title, overturning Djokovic to win 2-6 6-2 6-3 7-5 and beneath huge stress, Alcaraz turns into the youngest man of all time to finish the profession grand slam at 22 years and 272 days.

“Job completed. 4/4 accomplished,” Alcaraz writes on the digicam lens, with the customary smiley face.

Tennis accomplished on the age of twenty-two. Ludicrous.