Alcaraz Beats Djokovic To Win Aussie Open And Complete Career Grand Slam
Carlos Alcaraz continues to make history. The 22-year-old from Spain defeated Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 to win the Australian Open, the first of his career.
As a result, Alcaraz becomes the youngest player to ever win the career Grand Slam, and is owner of seven major titles overall now.
After both players battled through five-setters in the semifinals, it was the 38-year-old Djokovic who came out of the gates sharper. Alcaraz got off to a slow start as he was playing in the first Australian Open final of his career while his opponent is a 10-time former champion. Djokovic was in control throughout the first set to take the early lead.
But after securing an early break in the second set, Alcaraz never looked back.
“The first set, I think he played great. I was hitting the ball well. I was moving well. I played well the first set, but in front of me I had a great and inspired Novak, who was playing great, [hitting] great shots,” Alcaraz explained. “So in the second set I think the first game he made a few easy mistakes that he hadn’t in the first set, so that gave me a lot of calm. I just trusted and I believed that the match could change a little bit if I stayed there mentally.”
Alcaraz’s win strengthens his grip on the world number one position in the ATP Rankings, and he now looks ahead to trying to achieve the calendar Grand Slam.
“It is going to be a big challenge,” said Alcaraz. “I just want it to be one at a time. Right now, the next one is [Roland Garros]. I have great memories of that tournament. I feel really special every time that I go there. I don’t want to put myself in a really pressure position to have to do it.”
