In a night that will forever be etched in the memories of tennis fans, young Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz was crowned champion of the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, after achieving an epic victory over Serbian legend Novak Djokovic. The final match, held yesterday (Sunday) at the iconic Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, ended with a score of 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5.
The match witnessed exciting twists and turns, as Djokovic started the match strongly, sweeping the first set, but the Spanish matador quickly regained his balance, imposing his control over the next three sets thanks to his high physical fitness and powerful shots that the former world number one was unable to return in the crucial moments.
A record that stood for 87 years
This victory wasn't just another title in the Spanish star's collection; it was a historic achievement. With this triumph, Alcaraz, at 22 years and 272 days old, became the youngest player in tennis history to complete a Career Grand Slam. This feat includes winning the Australian Open, the French Open (Roland Garros), Wimbledon, and the US Open.
Alcaraz thus broke the historic record that had stood for 87 years, held by American player Don Budge, who achieved the same feat in 1938 at the age of 22 years and 363 days. This record reflects the difficulty of the task, which requires exceptional skill to adapt to different court surfaces (hard, clay, and grass).
The end of a hegemony and the beginning of a new era
This match holds special significance in the context of the generational rivalry in tennis. With this victory, Alcaraz denied his veteran rival Novak Djokovic the chance to extend his record and claim his 25th Grand Slam title. The Spanish star celebrated his seventh major title amidst a raucous crowd at Djokovic's favorite venue, Rod Laver Arena, the same court where Alcaraz lost to the same player in the quarterfinals of last year's tournament, adding a sweet taste of sporting revenge to the victory.
Completing the Grand Slam is a major testament to Alcaraz's technical and mental maturity, as he has proven his ability to excel on the fast hard courts of Australia and New York, the slow clay courts of Paris, and the traditional grass courts of London – a rare versatility mastered only by the legends of the game.
Champion's statements
At the press conference that followed the coronation ceremony, Alcaraz expressed his overwhelming emotions, saying: "I think no one realizes the amount of effort I put in to win this title and savor this moment.".
He added, explaining the difficulties he faced before the tournament: “The preseason was emotionally difficult, but we didn’t listen to what others were saying. My team pushed me to do the right thing, and I’m grateful to them all, because this title is as much theirs as it is mine.”.
