Alcaraz Completes Grand Slam with Melbourne Mastery

In the fading light of Rod Laver Arena, Carlos Alcaraz unleashed a torrent of inside-out forehands that carved through Novak Djokovic’s defenses, securing the Australian Open in four sets on Sunday evening. At 22, the Spaniard completed the Career Grand Slam, a milestone that silenced whispers of hard-court doubts after his triumphs at Wimbledon, the US Open, and Roland Garros. The air hummed with the crowd’s roar as confetti swirled, marking not just a title but a generational shift in Melbourne’s unforgiving heat.

Alcaraz’s path to this moment demanded relentless adaptation. He arrived in Australia nursing the echoes of a grueling 2025, where injuries had tested his limits, yet his early rounds revealed a sharpened game—deep kick serves pinning returns deep, followed by crosscourt backhands that stretched opponents wide. Against Djokovic, the 24-time major winner, he thrived in extended rallies, his explosive footwork turning potential marathons into opportunities for down-the-line winners.

The final’s tempo shifted early, with Alcaraz pressuring second serves to force errors, his heavy topspin forehand dipping low over the net to disrupt Djokovic‘s rhythm. By the third set, when the Serb clawed back with precise volleys, the younger player’s slice backhand skidded low, drawing unforced mistakes from the baseline. This poise under fire, honed through sleepless nights of visualization, propelled him to the break that sealed history.

Tennis legends salute the new champion

Juan Martin del Potro led the chorus of reactions, his words bridging eras with warmth for both combatants. Rod Laver praised the joy Alcaraz infuses into the sport, crediting Djokovic’s enduring legacy in the process. Ana Ivanovic hailed the addition of the Australian Open to his collection, while underscoring the Serb’s GOAT credentials even in defeat.

Gracias @DjokerNole por lo que hiciste. Tantas emociones nos hiciste vivir nuevamente. Sos único, te quiero mucho

Grande Carlitos!!! Sos un capo total @carlosalcaraz

— Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) February 1, 2026

Martina Navratilova marveled at how effortless the win appeared, a nod to the fun Alcaraz brings amid high stakes. Billie Jean King celebrated the duo’s entertainment value, calling them a delight to watch. James Blake marked the historic moment, inspired by Djokovic’s level throughout.

Brad Gilbert expressed sheer astonishment at the Career Grand Slam achieved so young. Fernando Verdasco predicted more Australian Open triumphs ahead for the Spaniard. Katrina Adams commended his poise in a match loaded with pressure, affirming what many sensed all along.

Alcaraz’s tactical evolution shone brightest in the longer exchanges, where his patience wore down foes. In the semifinals, he reset after dropping a set, employing a one–two pattern—serve into the body followed by an inside-in forehand—to regain control. The crowd’s energy, a blend of Spanish chants and local fervor, amplified his focus, turning Rod Laver Arena into an extension of his will.

Celebrities join the global celebration

Beyond the tour, the victory rippled outward, drawing praise from diverse corners. Pau Gasol toasted from Milan, highlighting the historic youth of the feat. Ben Stiller offered a concise nod to the spectacle.

https://t.co/YyFMFezNU0

— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) February 1, 2026

Sachin Tendulkar dissected the composure in rallies, noting how Alcaraz’s court coverage turned defense into dominance. Yuvraj Singh saluted the heart required to dethrone a legend, declaring the sport’s future secure. Terrell Owens rewatched in awe, captivated by the grace and grit on display.

Marc Márquez kept his acclaim direct and enthusiastic. Alejandro Valverde emphasized the singular achievement at 22. Real Madrid C.F. expressed pride in their Madridista’s seventh Grand Slam, reinforcing his number-one status.

Throughout the tournament, Alcaraz’s adjustments to Melbourne’s pace proved decisive. The Plexicushion surface favored his slides, allowing quick recoveries after wide shots, while his drop shots, laced with topspin, pulled Djokovic forward into unfamiliar territory. Off-court, recovery rituals like yoga sustained his energy, countering the dehydration risks of hard-court battles.

In the quarters, against a baseline specialist, he extended points deliberately, probing with underspin slices to disrupt patterns before unleashing crosscourt winners. Djokovic’s experience loomed large, but Alcaraz’s net approaches—a rarity in his arsenal—forced uncomfortable passes, breaking the Serb’s deep positioning. The fourth set’s decisive game saw a perfectly timed inside-out backhand open the court for the match-clinching forehand.

Mental fortitude fuels lasting legacy

The mental grind of the season culminated here, with Alcaraz channeling pre-match nerves into explosive retrievals. His team’s emphasis on meditation buffered the isolation of stardom, while light hitting sessions refined his 1–2 combinations for the hard courts’ bounce. This win lifts the elusive Australian Open burden, paving the way for clay dominance and beyond.

Reactions from del Potro to Real Madrid wove a narrative of respect, from emotional tributes to strategic nods. Laver’s courage mention echoed the internal battles Alcaraz won nightly. Ivanovic’s performance acclaim balanced admiration for both sides of the net.

Congratulations on your first AO crown and another major title, @carlosalcaraz. Your talent, courage and joy for the game light up our sport. @DjokerNole - what you continue to bring to tennis is beyond belief. Thank you for another remarkable fortnight and for setting the…

— Rod Laver (@rodlaver) February 1, 2026

Navratilova’s effortless observation masked the deliberate work behind each point. King’s rivalry joy promised more clashes, while Blake’s inspiration highlighted mutual growth. Gilbert’s disbelief captured the rapid ascent, Verdasco’s forecast hinted at dynasty building.

Adams’ poise tribute tied to the tournament’s arc, Gasol’s historic fact grounded the stats. Stiller’s post sealed the crossover appeal, Tendulkar’s analysis added cross-sport depth. Singh’s heart nod recalled debut pressures now conquered, Owens’ rewatch revealed the match’s pull.

What stood out at the Australian Open was Carlos Alcaraz’s patience. In the longer rallies, he stayed composed, kept his opponent under pressure, and chose his moments smartly. And the way he covered the court, so quick and precise, was a joy to watch! Congratulations… pic.twitter.com/c2MBeBNjC6

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 1, 2026

Márquez’s energy matched the on-court intensity, Valverde’s milestone stunned with its brevity. Madrid’s pride linked personal roots to global achievement. As posts lit up timelines on February 1, 2026, Alcaraz absorbed the validation, his mindset shifting from pursuit to possession.

Looking forward, this Melbourne breakthrough instills versatility across surfaces. The rivalry with Djokovic endures, each encounter sharpening both. At 22, with all majors conquered, Alcaraz eyes records, his poise a beacon for the next era of tennis.