Djokovic Falls Short of 25th Major Title as Alcaraz Triumphs in Australia

Djokovic remains determined to break Grand Slam record despite loss

Published on Feb. 1, 2026

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In a highly anticipated Australian Open final, 22-year-old Carlos Alcaraz defeated the veteran Novak Djokovic in four sets, dashing Djokovic's hopes of winning a record 25th Grand Slam title. Despite the loss, Djokovic remained positive, acknowledging Alcaraz as a "legendary player" and vowing to keep pushing to achieve his goal.

Why it matters

Djokovic's pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam title has been a major storyline in men's tennis, as he seeks to cement his legacy as one of the all-time greats. This loss, while disappointing, shows that the next generation of players like Alcaraz are emerging as formidable opponents, making Djokovic's quest even more challenging.

The details

In the Australian Open final, Djokovic was unable to overcome the younger Alcaraz, who rallied after dropping the first set. Djokovic had reached the final by defeating two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner in a grueling semifinal match, but the quick turnaround and age difference proved too much in the championship match.

  • Djokovic and Alcaraz faced off in the Australian Open final on February 1, 2026.
  • Djokovic's semifinal victory over Sinner finished after 1:30 a.m. on February 1, 2026, leaving him with less than 48 hours to recover before the final.

The players

Novak Djokovic

A 38-year-old Serbian tennis player who has won 24 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in men's tennis history.

Carlos Alcaraz

A 22-year-old Spanish tennis player who is currently ranked No. 1 in the world and is considered one of the rising stars of the sport.

Jannik Sinner

A 25-year-old Italian tennis player who was the two-time defending Australian Open champion and one of the players blocking Djokovic's path to a 25th Grand Slam title.

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What they’re saying

“You're speaking to me 10 minutes after I lost the final, so of course I'm going to be a little bit bitter about losing. But, again, I lost to a No. 1 in the world and already a legendary player.”

— Novak Djokovic (wbal.com)

“Every time that I'm able to feel that aura from him on the other side of the net, for me it's a privilege.”

— Carlos Alcaraz (wbal.com)

“If he maintains this level of tennis during the whole season, he's going to, you know, win great things.”

— Carlos Alcaraz (wbal.com)

What’s next

Djokovic will likely continue his pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam title at the upcoming French Open and Wimbledon tournaments.

The takeaway

Despite the disappointment of falling short in the Australian Open final, Djokovic's determination to break the Grand Slam record and his ability to compete at the highest level at 38 years old are a testament to his greatness. The emergence of players like Alcaraz as formidable opponents only adds to the drama and excitement of men's tennis.