World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz has rewritten the record books, winning his first Australian Open title to become the youngest man to complete the career grand slam.
Stunned by his history-chasing rival Novak Djokovic in the first set, the 22-year-old Alcaraz steamrolled his way to 2-6 6-2 6-3 7-5 inside Rod Laver Arena on a cool Sunday night in Melbourne.
The Spaniard, who now owns seven major titles, is 91 days younger than American Don Budge when he completed the set in the midst of his 1938 calendar-year grand slam.
He joins Budge, Fred Perry, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Djokovic as just the ninth man to win all four slams.
Alcaraz needed just one match point to claim the championship, sinking to the court in relief before a smiling Djokovic stepped over the net to congratulate the young star.
A kangaroo tattoo now beckons to join the Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower and strawberry ink on Alcaraz’s body to mark his US Open, French Open and Wimbledon triumphs respectively.
Alcaraz paid tribute to Djokovic in his speech saying he is inspired by Djokovic who is putting in the right work, hard work every day with his team, every tournament that he goes to, playing such great tennis.
He add that he enjoys watching Djokovic play, and it has been an honour, sharing the locker, the court, watching him play.
Alcaraz thanked his team after what he described as an “emotional rollercoaster” of the off-season, having to ignore the reaction to moving on from high-profile coach Juan Carlos Ferrero.
The superstar won his first grand slam in New York in 2022 when he was just 19, with this maiden Australian Open success extending his magnificent run to five straight years with a major title — and his lead over contemporary rival Jannik Sinner now sits at three.
Source: 7news.com.au
