AO 2026 – men's final: What to expect?

Carlos Alcaraz (No1) – Novak Djokovic (No4)

💪 The context / The current form

Alcaraz is seeking a seventh major on Sunday night and a pretty hefty slice of tennis history.

Should he do so, the generational 22-year-old will become the ninth man in history to complete the Career Grand Slam (winning all four majors) and the youngest to do so.

The world No.1 is a supremely talented fan, who pours over the previous battles and accomplishments of the greats. Alcaraz is well aware of what is at stake at Melbourne Park – will he complete the set?

Djokovic has done it all – if you didn’t know that, where have you been?

Novak Djokovic is bidding to capture his 25th Grand Slam title and secure sole ownership of the all-time record. It’s been over two years since Djokovic won No.24 in New York City, the main issues have been ‘Sincaraz’ and staying injury free.

One half of ‘Sincaraz’ slayed, Djokovic appears in supreme physical shape, especially for a 38-year-old. There might never be a better chance for No.25.

Djokovic has won all 10 of his Australian Open finals. To remain unbeaten in 11 would mean battling past Sinner and Alcaraz back-to-back, which would have to rank in the top tier of his extensive mind-boggling accomplishments.

🏆 Their 2026 tournament

Until Friday night, Alcaraz was soaring towards the silverware showdown.

Just like the RG 2025 final, when pushed to the brink, the Spaniard has hit out, maintained his bravery. Cramping, Zverev’s firepower, you name it, Alcaraz knuckled down and proved exactly why he already has six majors.

“One of the more demanding matches that I have ever played in my career so far. I think physically we just push each other to the limit today,” said Alcaraz on Friday. “We push our bodies to the limit, which I think the level of the fifth set was really, really high.

“I just rank this one in the top position of one of the best matches that I have ever won.”

Simply heroic.

• 1st round: victory against Adam Walton 6-3, 7-6(2), 6-2 (2hrs 5mins)
• 2nd round: victory against Yannick Hanfmann 7-6(4), 6-3, 6-2 (2hrs 45mins)
• 3rd round: victory against Corentin Moutet 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 (2hrs 5mins)
• Round of 16: victory against Tommy Paul 7-6(6), 6-4, 7-5 (2hrs 44mins)
• Quarter-finals: victory against Alex de Minaur 7-5, 6-2, 6-1 (2hrs 15mins)
• Semi-finals: victory against Alexander Zverev 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5 (5hrs 27mins)

Just like Alcaraz, the rest of the tournament really goes out the window after Friday night.

The 38-year-old obliterated outsider claims suggesting he’s past dominating the majors. What defiance, but also what shotmaking, what athleticism. His tactical awareness and resource management, the way Djokovic lasered groundstrokes onto the lines, the serve variety was textbook.

The semi-final was a vintage Djokovic display.

"Definitely the finest in the last couple of years. Under the circumstances and semis against Sinner, who has been playing best tennis of his life in last couple of years, particularly here, two-time defending champion, doesn't get better than this."

• 1st round: victory against Pedro Martinez 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 (2hrs)
• 2nd round: victory against Francesco Maestrelli 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 (2hrs 15mins)
• 3rd round: victory against Botic Van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) (2hrs 44mins)
• Round of 16: victory against Jakub Mensik (W/O)
• Quarter-finals: victory against Lorenzo Musetti 4-6, 3-6, 3-1 ret. (2hrs 8mins)
• Semi-finals: victory against Jannik Sinner 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 (4hrs 9mins)

🆚 Face-to-face

This will be their 10th clash and the vast majority of these have been absolute firecrackers.

Djokovic pips the head-to-head at 5-4, yet Alcaraz leads their major tussles at 3-2. In terms of Melbourne meetings, Djokovic denied the world No.1 across four sets at last year’s Australian Open in the quarter-finals.

🎤 Heard in media

Carlos Alcaraz : "I would choose this one,” said Alcaraz, asked in his press conference whether he’d swap Australian Open glory for other major silverware in 2026. “If I make the final of the other three, but yeah (laughter), I would say I rather win this one than the three and complete the Grand Slam and be the youngest ever to do it.”

Novak Djokovic : "I think also obviously for Carlos because of his age and everything that he was able to achieve so far, history is on the line for both of us every time we play. The finals of Grand Slam, there's a lot at stake, but it's no different from any other big match that I play.

"My preparation is as it should be, and I won against him last year here, also in a gruelling match. Let's see how fresh are we both able to be. He also had a big match, but he has 15, 16 years on me. Biologically I think it's going to be a bit easier for him to recover.

"Look, I play tennis competitively mainly to be able to reach the finals of Grand Slams. Here I am, so I cannot complain about anything. I'm just trying to enjoy the moment that I'm experiencing tonight. I'll think about finals later, but for me, this is win that almost equals winning a Grand Slam."