So I did not really post anything about the recent Australian Open, but figured it was time. Let me do so now.
On the women's side, Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan outlasted world number one Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, to capture her second career Grand Slam title, having won once before at Wimbledon.
On the men's side, Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5, to become the youngest man ever to capture a career Grand Slam. He had won each of the other Grand Slam tournaments at least twice each. Yet, this was the first time that he won it all Down Under.
In the process, of course, he denied Djokovic the 25th career Grand Slam title that he clearly has been pursuing now for over two years. Give Djokovic credit for beating Jannik Sinner in the semifinal and reaching the Australian Open Final. Djokovic has been the master in Melbourne, having won 10 Australian Open Men's Singles prior to this one. Also, he had never lost an Australian Open Final prior to the loss to Alcaraz on Sunday.
But it's a new day.
Now, Alcaraz clearly has pushed ahead (even possibly far ahead, at least at the moment) of his main nemesis, Jannik Sinner, both in terms of overall Grand Slam titles won (seven for Alcaraz to four for Sinner), as well as now finally having won the career Grand Slam.
Most impressive.
Below is a list of the ages of the men who have won the career Grand Slam, and what age they were when they finally achieved it (according to an article by Jamie Braidwood of Independent (see link below)::
How Alcaraz ranks in list of men to complete their career grand slam:
Carlos Alcaraz: 22 years 272 days, completed at 2026 Australian Open
Don Budge: 22 years 363 days (1938 French Championships)
Rod Laver: 24 years 32 days (1962 US National Championships)
Rafael Nadal: 24 years 102 days (2010 US Open)
Fred Perry: 26 years 15 days (1935 French Championships)
Roy Emerson: 27 years 244 days (1964 Wimbledon Championships)
Roger Federer: 27 years 303 days (2009 Roland Garros)
Novak Djokovic: 29 years 15 days (2016 Roland Garros)
Andre Agassi: 29 years 68 days (1999 Roland Garros)
Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic to win Australian Open and complete career grand slam Alcaraz became the youngest man to complete the career grand slam with a four-set win over Djokovic, denying the 38-year-old in his latest bid to win a 25th major Jamie Braidwood Sunday 01 February 2026 16:37 GMT
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/alcaraz-djokovic-australian-open-career-grand-slam-b2911688.html
Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic to win Australian Open and complete career grand slam | The Independent
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