Photos: ReutersNovak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz meet in Sunday's Australian Open final with history in the balance, as the Serbian great chases a record 25th Grand Slam title and the Spanish dynamo bids to become the youngest man to win all four majors. The 22-year-old Spaniard has had Melbourne on his mind since winning his second US Open title last year. He would also become the first men's player under 23 to win seven Grand Slam titles, a tally that eluded Djokovic until he was 27. While Djokovic knocked Alcaraz out of last year's Australian Open quarter-finals, he was well-beaten the last time they faced on a Grand Slam hardcourt, losing 6-4 7-6(4) 6-2 in the US Open semis. With 18 fewer Grand Slam titles than Djokovic, he should be more hungry than the Serb.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 01, 2026 04:09 UTC