02/01/26 06:08:00
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02/01 06:07 CST Carlos Alcaraz beats Novak Djokovic to become the youngest man
to complete a career Grand Slam
Carlos Alcaraz beats Novak Djokovic to become the youngest man to complete a
career Grand Slam
By JOHN PYE
AP Sports Writer
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) --- Carlos Alcaraz is the youngest man ever to
complete a career Grand Slam after securing the Australian Open title against
Novak Djokovic, who had never lost in his 10 previous finals at Melbourne Park.
The top-ranked Alcaraz dropped the first set Sunday as Djokovic went out hard
in pursuit of a record 25th major title, but he rallied to win 2-6, 6-2, 6-3,
7-5.
The 22-year-old Spaniard scrambled to retrieve shots that usually would be
winners for Djokovic, and he kept up intense pressure on his 38-year-old rival.
Once he secured victory, Alcaraz let his racket slip out of his hand and fell
to the ground on his back, putting his hands to his head.
He 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.
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.
Neither player was willing to relent on the big points --- 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.
Djokovic's push for an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam singles title has now been
blocked by Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner for nine majors.
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't quite make it against
Alcaraz.
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.
Alcaraz now has seven major titles --- his first in Australia along with two
each at Wimbledon and the French and U.S. Opens.
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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
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