February 1, 2026<\/a><\/p>\nHe stayed there for a few seconds before going to the net to shake hands with Djokovic. Both players exchanged a few words and Djokovic smiled as he congratulated Alcaraz. The new champion then ran to hug his coaches in the courtside chairs and later his dad and other team members in the stands.<\/p>\n
After paying tribute to Djokovic for being an inspiration, Alcaraz turned to his support team. He parted ways with longtime coach Juan Carlos Ferrero at the end of last season and Samuel Lopez stepped up to head the team.<\/p>\n
\u201cNobody knows how hard I\u2019ve been working to get this trophy. I just chased this moment so much,\u201d Alcaraz said. The pre-season was a bit of a rollercoaster emotionally.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just did the right work, you were pushing me every day to do all the right things,\u201d he added. \u201cI\u2019m just really grateful for everyone I have in my corner right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Djokovic joked about this showdown setting up a rivalry over the next 10 years with Alcaraz, but then said it was only right to hand the floor over to the new champion.<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst and foremost, congratulations to an amazing tournament and amazing couple of weeks,\u201d Djokovic said at the trophy presentation. \u201cWhat you\u2019ve been doing, the best word to describe is historic, legendary, so congratulations. I wish the best of luck in the rest of your career.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both players were coming off grueling five-set semifinal wins and showed phenomenal fitness, athleticism and stamina for just over three hours in pursuit of their own historic achievements.<\/p>\n
Neither player was willing to relent on the big points \u2014 and there were many of them. In the end, Alcaraz was able to convert 5 of the 16 breakpoints he set up. Djokovic converted two of his six.<\/p>\n
Djokovic\u2019s push for an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam singles title has now been blocked by Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner for nine majors.<\/p>\n
Djokovic edged Sinner in the semifinals and was aiming to be the oldest man to win a Grand Slam title in the Open era, but didn\u2019t quite make it against Alcaraz.<\/p>\n
Rafa in the house<\/p>\n
Djokovic and Rafael Nadal played some epic matches, including the longest match ever at the Australian Open in a five-set final that lasted almost six hours in 2012.<\/p>\n
Nadal was watching from the stands on Sunday night, and both players addressed the 22-time major winner.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to speak to the legendary Rafa, who is on the stands,\u201d Djokovic said. \u201cObviously, it feels very weird to see you there and not here, you know?<\/p>\n
\u201cBut thank you for being present. It\u2019s too many Spanish legends… It felt like it was two against one tonight, you know, it wasn\u2019t fair, but OK.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alcaraz said it was a privilege: \u201cI know you were watching me when I was like 15, 14 years old, so it\u2019s been a long time. But, yeah, for me, it\u2019s such an honor playing in front of you.\u201d<\/p>\n
One for the ages<\/p>\n
At 22 years and 272 days, Alcaraz is the youngest man to complete a set of all four major singles titles. He broke the mark set by Don Budge in the 1938 French championships, when he was 22 years and 363 days.<\/p>\n
Alcaraz now has seven major titles \u2014 his first in Australia along with two each at Wimbledon and the French and U.S. Opens.<\/p>\n
He’s the ninth man to achieve the career Grand Slam, a list that also includes Djokovic, Nadal and Roger Federer.<\/p>\n
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AP tennis: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/tennis<\/a><\/p>\n