Facing a man who had ruled Melbourne Park for over a decade, Carlos Alcaraz walked into his first Australian Open final knowing the scale of the challenge ahead. Novak Djokovic, a 10-time champion at Rod Laver Arena, came out firing and briefly reminded everyone why he is considered one of the greatest competitors the sport has ever seen. The Serbian stormed through the opening set, breaking Alcaraz twice and barely putting a foot wrong. But instead of panicking, the 22-year-old Spaniard trusted his process, absorbed the pressure, and slowly turned the tide. 

What followed was a statement victory: a 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 win that not only earned Alcaraz the title but also made him the youngest male player in tennis history to complete the Career Grand Slam, surpassing Don Budge’s 1938 record. While Djokovic started stronger, it was Alcaraz who showed greater staying power, composure, and belief as the match wore on. At the peak of his powers, the Spaniard outlasted and outplayed one of the sport’s most formidable champions, sealing a historic night in Melbourne.

During the on-court interview after the final, Djokovic was generous and emotional in his praise for the new Australian Open champion. “The best word to describe it is historic, legendary…” Having said that, he joked, “You’re so young. You have a lot of time, like myself. I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other many times in the next 10 years.” Later, in the press conference, he once again hailed Carlos Alcaraz. “The results are a testament to his already stellar career. Can’t think of any superlatives about him.”

Speaking about Alcaraz’s rapid rise, Novak Djokovic added, “He deserves every bit of praise he gets. He’s a very nice young man. Good values. Nice family. Already a legendary tennis player that made a huge mark in the history books of tennis, with only 22 years of age.” Reflecting on their first meeting, he added, “The first time I played him, he was 11 or 12 years old. No, he was 18 or 19… you could already see he was destined for great things.”

Alcaraz’s Melbourne triumph also pushed him into elite company statistically. The Spaniard has now claimed a seventh men’s singles Grand Slam title, equalling Bjorn Borg for the most majors won by any under-23 player in the Open Era. It is a staggering benchmark that underlines just how quickly Alcaraz has rewritten modern tennis history.

His dominance is not limited to Grand Slams either. Since the inaugural ATP Tour season in 1990, Alcaraz has taken the fewest main-draw appearances - just 86 - to reach 25 ATP-level titles, another record that highlights his extraordinary efficiency and consistency at the top level.

With his Australian Open victory, Alcaraz also became only the sixth male player in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam, joining Rod Laver, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and his defeated opponent, Novak Djokovic. For someone just 22 years old, the achievement places him firmly among the all-time greats. So, this win itself in Melbourne was quite “legendary” for Alcaraz!

Despite the loss, Djokovic remained reflective and honest about his own campaign. He admitted he knew the path to the title would likely run through the sport’s two brightest young stars. “I knew I’d probably have to beat two of them on the way to the title. I beat one, which is great. It’s a step more further than I’ve gone in Grand Slams than last year. Very nice and encouraging, but not enough for me. I’m gonna keep pushing and see if I get another chance,” Djokovic said.

When asked about any physical issues during the final, the Serbian was clear that he did not want to detract from Alcaraz’s moment. “I never liked to talk about things that I go through physically or health-wise. It’s going to come across as I’m looking for excuses and taking away credit of the winner. So it’s not gonna change this time. I’m just gonna congratulate Carlos, and he was the deserved winner on the court today.”

On a night defined by respect as much as rivalry, Djokovic’s words carried weight. And if his bold verdict is anything to go by, Carlos Alcaraz is no longer just the future of tennis - he is already one of its legends. What did the Spaniard say about Novak Djokovic after the match, though?

Carlos Alcaraz feels Novak Djokovic has silenced his doubters with his 2026 AO run

Carlos Alcaraz may have walked away with the Australian Open trophy, but even in victory, the Spaniard made it clear that Novak Djokovic’s 2026 Melbourne campaign deserved its own moment in the spotlight. Facing the 10-time Australian Open champion in the final, Alcaraz produced a composed and mature performance to secure a historic win. Yet, as the crowd at Rod Laver Arena celebrated the crowning of a new champion, Alcaraz used the occasion to highlight what Djokovic’s run truly represented - proof that the Serbian legend is far from finished.

During his on-court interview after defeating Djokovic in the final, Alcaraz paused before speaking about his own achievement and instead turned his attention to the man on the other side of the net. “First of all, I want to talk about Novak. He deserves an ovation for sure,” Alcaraz said, acknowledging the 24-time Grand Slam champion. “You’re talking about how I’m doing amazing things, but what you’re doing is really inspiring. Not only for tennis players… for athletes… for all the people around the world. For me as well.”

The 22-year-old went on to praise Djokovic’s relentless work ethic and longevity at the top of the sport. “Just putting in the right work every day with your team, playing such great tennis… for me, I just enjoy so much watching you play. It’s been an honor sharing the locker and sharing the court. Thank you very much for what you’re doing. It’s really inspiring to me,” Alcaraz added, drawing loud applause from the Melbourne crowd.

Alcaraz expanded on those thoughts later in his press conference, delivering a powerful message about how Djokovic’s Australian Open run had defied widespread skepticism. According to the Spaniard, the Serbian legend has answered every doubt with his racket. “What he’s doing is inspiring for all athletes,” Alcaraz said. “He’s putting his body, his mind, his life into feeling playing the final of a Grand Slam again.”

Alcaraz also pointed out that many had written Djokovic off before the tournament even began. “Going against every person saying he wasn’t going to play another Grand Slam final… or he wasn’t going to beat Jannik or myself… then he comes and plays such great tennis, beating Jannik in the semifinals,” he said. For Alcaraz, Djokovic’s straight-sets win over Jannik Sinner in the semis was a clear reminder of his enduring greatness.

While the 2026 Australian Open will be remembered as the tournament where Carlos Alcaraz etched his name into history, his words ensured that Novak Djokovic’s journey was not overlooked. In Alcaraz’s eyes, Djokovic didn’t just reach another Grand Slam final - he silenced his doubters and once again proved why his legacy continues to inspire generations across sports.

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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