Carlos Alcaraz etched his name deeper into tennis history on Sunday night in Melbourne, producing a performance for the ages to conquer the Australian Open and complete one of the sport’s rarest feats. The world No. 1 recovered from a shaky start to outplay Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 in a blockbuster final at Rod Laver Arena, lifting his maiden Australian Open crown in emphatic fashion. By doing so, Alcaraz achieved something no man had ever done so young in the Open Era. At just 22 years and 258 days, the Spaniard became the youngest male player in tennis history to complete the Career Grand Slam, surpassing even Don Budge. What did he say after fulfilling his long-awaited dream?

He is now only the sixth man in the Open Era to win all four majors, joining an elite list that includes Rod Laver, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and the very man he defeated, Novak Djokovic. In a cruel twist of irony for the Serb, this loss marked Djokovic’s first defeat in 11 Australian Open finals. “I think nobody knows how hard I have been working to get this trophy. I chased this moment so much,” Alcaraz admitted after the match. With this victory, Alcaraz is now a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, tying John McEnroe and Mats Wilander for the all-time record. But what's next?

Hours after his historic victory, Alcaraz sat down with EL MUNDO and offered a glimpse into his mindset and future ambitions. Despite having already achieved what most players can only dream of, the Spaniard made it clear that his hunger is far from satisfied. “I used to see myself doing this next year here in Australia, completing all four Grand Slams twice and also becoming the youngest player to do so. There's always something. Things always come up that keep you ambitious.”

Further on, Carlos Alcaraz went on to add, “The big tournaments always motivate me, and there are several Masters 1000s I'd like to win at least once. There's also the ATP Finals and, above all, the Davis Cup. The Davis Cup is a tournament I love; I really enjoy playing for Spain, and I'd love to have it in my trophy cabinet.”

During his post-match press conference, Alcaraz was inevitably asked the question that follows any player who dominates early in a season: Can he now dream of a Calendar Grand Slam?

To this, the Spaniard replied, “It’s gonna be a big challenge. Those are big words, to be honest. I just want it to be one at a time. Next one is French Open. I have great memories there. I don’t want to put myself in a pressure position to have to do it. But it’s gonna be great.” Carlos Alcaraz has assured his fans that he’ll try to be ready and work hard to play equally well in the next Slam as well.

Rather than getting carried away by records and projections, the 22-year-old is focused on process, preparations, and balance - qualities that have defined his meteoric rise. Perhaps the most revealing insight came when Alcaraz was asked whether he truly understands the scale of what he is achieving. With more Grand Slam titles than anyone else at his age, and now the youngest Career Grand Slam champion, the weight of history is impossible to ignore.

“I’m trying. Tennis is really beautiful, but the part is we have tournaments week after week after week. Sometimes you don’t really realize what you’ve been doing lately…” According to Alcaraz, what he has learned this year is about appreciating and enjoying every single second of the moment he’s living. That includes not only lifting trophies but also playing tournaments, winning, and losing.

For a player who already has everything, that mindset may be Carlos Alcaraz’s greatest weapon. And if Melbourne was any indication, tennis history might just be getting started. How did the tennis world react to his recent triumph, though?

Catching up on all the reactions from the tennis world on Carlos Alcaraz’s AO triumph

Carlos Alcaraz’s historic Australian Open triumph didn’t just rewrite the record books; it sent shockwaves through the tennis world. As the 22-year-old Spaniard lifted his maiden Melbourne crown and became the youngest man in history to complete the Career Grand Slam, tributes poured in from legends, current stars, and voices across generations, all united in admiration for a moment that felt truly era-defining.

One of the first icons to applaud Alcaraz was Martina Navratilova. The 18-time Grand Slam champion took to social media to congratulate the world No. 1, fully aware of the magnitude of what she had just witnessed. Praising not just the result but the manner of it, Navratilova highlighted the joy Alcaraz brings to the sport.

“Congrats to Carlos Alcaraz for your win at the Australian Open and making history!” she wrote. “That’s always special. You make it look easy, and oh so much fun!” Navratilova wasn’t alone in her praise. Another trailblazer, Billie Jean King, also shared her appreciation on X, saluting Alcaraz’s remarkable achievement. “Congratulations to the truly remarkable Carlos Alcaraz, the 2026 Australian Open men’s singles champion!” King posted, adding her voice to the growing chorus celebrating the Spaniard’s rise.

Former world No. 1 Boris Becker echoed those sentiments from the commentary box. Speaking on Eurosport Germany, the six-time Grand Slam champion kept it simple but powerful. “Huge respect, a really strong performance from Alcaraz,” Becker said, summing up what many felt after witnessing the Spaniard outplay Novak Djokovic on the biggest stage.

Current stars like Coco Gauff and Holger Rune were equally quick to respond. Even tennis legend Maria Sharapova congratulated Carlos Alcaraz on this historic win.

There was also a poignant message from a familiar corner. Just a month before the Australian Open, Juan Carlos Ferrero stepped away from Alcaraz’s coaching team, ending a hugely successful seven-year partnership. Despite the separation, the bond clearly remains strong. Ferrero’s Academy posted a heartfelt message on X, celebrating Alcaraz’s latest milestone. “So amazing journey. So much hard work! Congrats, Carlitos! Many more things yet to come,” the post read.

From legends who shaped the sport to peers who now chase him, the reaction was unanimous: Carlos Alcaraz’s Australian Open triumph was more than just a title - it was a statement. And if the tennis world’s response is anything to go by, this historic night in Melbourne may be remembered as just another chapter in what promises to be a truly extraordinary career.

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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