Alcaraz beat Serbian great Novak Djokovic by 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 to become the youngest man in the Open era to win all four major titles.
Carlos Alcaraz said, having Rafael Nadal watching in the crowd helped drive him to a maiden Australian Open title on Sunday and this win “even more special’.
The 22-year-old Alcaraz downed great Serbian Novak Djokovic by 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 and reach the youngest man in the Open era to win all four major titles.
He already claimed two titles each at Wimbledon, the French and US Open titles.
In the process he overtook his legendary compatriot Rafael Nadal, who achieved the milestone at same age two years older. Nadal later met Alcaraz in the stadium corridors, where the two shared a warm embrace and exchanged kind words.
Alcaraz said,
“I mean this moment is really special for me, but having Rafa in the crowd made it even more special, to be honest.”
“Lifting this AO trophy for the first time in Australia was really crazy and my dream come true. I dreamt about getting an Australian Open trophy and completing the career Grand Slam.”
He said he took inspiration from a similar moment involving Nadal at the 2009 Australian Open. On that occasion the world No.1 Nadal edged past fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in what was the longest match in tournament history. At that situation Nadal went on to beat Roger Federer in the final.
Carlos Alcaraz said,
“After the semi-final, I just thought about that semi-final in the year 2009 he played against Verdasco. He came back physically and played such a great final against Federer and won. So I was thinking a little bit about it was.”
“It is just about pushing through and having him there was like watching him and he gave me like good spirit, good mindset.”
Before the match starts, the 22-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal, who retired from tennis in 2024, tipped Alcaraz to win.
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