Carlos Alcaraz wins ‘This’ Prize Money After Downing Novak Djokovic in Australian Open Final

Carlos Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic to become the youngest man in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam.

Carlos Alcaraz wins ‘This’ Prize Money After Downing Novak Djokovic in Australian Open Final

Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K)

Novak Djokovic, at the end, failed to do the unthinkable. He lost in the Australian Open final for the first time in his career. On Sunday (February 1), the Serb suffered a 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 defeat at the hands of Carlos Alcaraz.

Both players entered the final after playing marathon semifinals. First Alcaraz outlasted last year’s runner-up Alexander Zverev in five hours and 27 minutes, in what was also the longest semifinal in the history of the tournament. In the evening, Djokovic clashed with Jannik Sinner and ruined his hope of completing a three-peat of the Melbourne Slam.

The win helped Alcaraz improve his head-to-head record over the 24-time Grand Slam champion to 5-5. It was Alcaraz’s second consecutive win over Djokovic as the Spaniard also defeated him in last year’s US Open semifinals.

Both players will leave Australia with a huge payday. Alcaraz will be taking home $4,150,000 as prize money, while Djokovic has pocketed $2,150,000. Djokovic was bidding to break the tie with Margaret Court to win the historic 25th Grand Slam title. Had he won, it would have been his career’s record-extending 11th title in Melbourne.

But the 22-year-old Alcaraz, a now seven-time Grand Slam champion, also became the youngest man in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam, breaking Rafael Nadal‘s record. The 22-time Grand Slam champion (who was also in the stands of the Rod Laver Arena on Sunday) defeated Djokovic in the 2010 US Open final to complete the Career Grand Slam at the age of 24.

Carlos Alcaraz heaps massive praise on Novak Djokovic

What Novak Djokovic is doing at this stage of his career is truly inspiring. Djokovic defied age, beat Jannik Sinner in the semifinals to become the oldest man in the Open Era to reach the Australian Open final.

Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz
Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Tiempo De Tenis, Carlos Alcaraz 4K)

First of all, I want to talk about Novak. He deserves an ovation for sure. You’re talking about how I’m doing amazing things, but what you’re doing is really inspiring. Not only for tennis players, for athletes…for all the people around the world. For me as well. Just putting in the right work every day with your team, playing such great tennis. For me, I just enjoy so much watching you play. It’s been an honor sharing the locker and sharing the court. Thank you very much for what you’re doing. It’s really inspiring to me.

Carlos Alcaraz said during his winner’s speech

Djokovic was on the cusp of elimination in the quarterfinals against Lorenzo Musetti, who took the first two sets off him but ended up throwing in the towel because of an injury. The Serbian great, in fact, played the semifinals without winning a set since the third round as his fourth-round opponent, Jakub Mensik, withdrew before the match.

To my team over there, I think no one knows how hard I’ve been working to get this trophy. I just chased this moment so much. It was a rollercoaster emotionally. We did the right work. You were pushing me every day to do all the right things. I gotta say, I’m just really grateful for everyone I have in my corner right now. This trophy is always yours.

Carlos Alcaraz added

Before this year, Alcaraz had never progressed beyond the quarterfinals in the Major Down Under, losing to Alexander Zverev in 2024 and to Djokovic last year in the last eight. Djokovic last won the title here in 2023 by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas. The following season, Sinner beat him in the semifinals, while last year, an injury forced him to give the walkover to Zverev.

Also read: Elena Rybakina Opens Up on Experiencing the Stefano Vukov Saga After the Australian Open Win