Carlos Alcaraz has set a new standard in tennis after finally winning the Australian Open.
Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic in four sets Sunday at the final of the 2026 Australian Open, becoming the youngest man to win a career Grand Slam at 22 years, 8 months, and 28 days. Rafael Nadal, a fellow Spaniard who Alcaraz refers to as his “idol,” was the previous record holder in the Open Era at 24 years, 3 months, and 10 days.
Alcaraz takes home an Australian Open record of about $2.8 million ($4.15 million AUD), 19% higher than last year’s prize. He has amassed about $62.8 million in career earnings, fifth all-time.
World No. 1 Alcaraz has now won seven Grand Slam titles: one Australian Open and two each at the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. He never advanced past the quarterfinals in Melbourne in his previous four appearances—including a loss to Djokovic in 2025.
Djokovic, 38, has won the most Grand Slam titles in men’s tennis history (24), but he was an unexpected finals opponent for Alcaraz. Djokovic upset world No. 2 Sinner in a 5-set thriller Friday despite being an 8-to-1 underdog entering the match.
Sinner, 24, had won the last two Australian Open titles and had made the last five Grand Slam finals, starting with the 2024 US Open where he defeated Taylor Fritz. He’s considered the best player on hardcourt, the playing surface at the Australian Open and US Open.
“I would trade Australia for Roland-Garros with Jannik,” Alcaraz joked before the tournament. Alcaraz is considered the best player on clay, the surface at the French Open, the only Grand Slam that Sinner has yet to win.
Sinner and Alcaraz faced-off in three consecutive Grand Slam championship matches in 2025, the first duo to achieve that feat within one calendar year. A fourth consecutive Grand Slam championship match would have tied a record set from 2011 Wimbledon to the 2012 French Open by Djokovic and Nadal.
Alcaraz Closes In on Big Four
The Australian Open winnings puts Alcaraz within $1.9 million of fourth-place Andy Murray, though he would have to more than double his earnings to catch third-place Roger Federer ($130.6 million).
Djokovic, the leader in career earnings, walked away with about $1.5 million ($2.15 AUD). The Serbian is less than $7.5 million away from becoming the first tennis player to breach $200 million in earnings.
