Will Djokovic set a record with 25 Grand Slam titles, or will Alcaraz become the youngest player to achieve a career Grand Slam?

At 4:30 this afternoon, the climax of the 2026 Australian Open men’s singles—the final—will be held, with world No.1, Spain’s all-rounder Alcaraz, facing world No.4, Serbia’s tennis legend Djokovic. Millions of fans are excited and eagerly awaiting: this is Alcaraz’s first Australian Open final in his career despite having six Grand Slam titles; while Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, is making his 11th Australian Open final appearance, having won all ten previous finals.

If Djokovic wins the 2026 Australian Open men’s singles title, he will surpass Australian female legend Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles, setting a new record with 25. If Alcaraz wins, he will break the record held by American legend Donald Budge, who was 22 years and 11 months old in 1938, by becoming the youngest ever career Grand Slam winner at just over 22 years and 8 months. Let us witness history together at the 2026 Australian Open men’s final.

Since the 2022 season, Alcaraz, born in May 2003, has won six Grand Slam titles across the US Open, Wimbledon, and French Open, with the Australian Open crown still missing, preventing him from completing a career Grand Slam. In the 2025 Australian Open, Alcaraz made his first serious attempt at the career Grand Slam but was defeated in the quarterfinals after winning the first set by an injured Djokovic who came back to win three straight sets, ending Alcaraz’s Melbourne dream.

During the 2025 off-season, Alcaraz declared winning the 2026 Australian Open as his top priority for the year. When considering what to improve and achieve, the Australian Open has always been his main focus. He explicitly stated, “I’m willing to miss two Grand Slam titles in 2026 to win the Australian Open.” After winning three matches to reach the round of 16 at the 2026 Australian Open, Alcaraz shared with Cope Radio: “This year, I can truly make a change. I’m ready to trade three Grand Slam titles for one — the Australian Open title.”

Now, Alcaraz is just one victory away from claiming the Australian Open trophy, facing the Melbourne king, Djokovic, in the final. Excited, Alcaraz said, “I’m very happy to be playing a final here in Australia. This could be historic; I might become the youngest career Grand Slam winner ever. I will give my all to make this dream come true.”

However, the final hurdle Alcaraz must overcome—Djokovic—is an imposing figure, almost insurmountable! Born in May 1987 and now 38 years old, Djokovic is a record-breaking force in men’s tennis and the greatest achiever in history. With 24 Grand Slam titles, seven year-end championships, 40 Masters titles, an Olympic singles gold medal, eight years finishing as world No.1, and 428 weeks ranked No.1, Djokovic has established an unparalleled legacy that commands respect and admiration.

Throughout their careers, Alcaraz and Djokovic have faced each other nine times, with Alcaraz trailing 4–5. However, in Grand Slam tournaments, they have met five times, with Alcaraz leading 3–2. In the 2023 and 2024 Wimbledon finals, Alcaraz, fearless and determined, upset seven-time Wimbledon champion Djokovic consecutively, triumphing at the All England Club.

In the 2025 US Open semifinals, Alcaraz defeated Djokovic in straight sets and then beat defending champion Sinner in four sets to win his second US Open title, reclaiming the world No.1 ranking. After that semifinal loss, Djokovic expressed deep disappointment, saying, “Given my age and physical condition, it will be very difficult to beat Alcaraz and Sinner in future best-of-five Grand Slam matches.”

Yet, at the 2026 Australian Open semifinals, after a grueling 4-hour and 9-minute five-set battle, ten-time Australian Open champion Djokovic defeated two-time defending champion and Italian rising star Sinner, reaching his 11th Australian Open final. Proudly, Djokovic said, “I strive to play competitive tennis to reach the Grand Slam final. I once said it would be very hard to beat Alcaraz and Sinner in Grand Slams, but now it seems not impossible.”

Looking ahead to this epic showdown, Djokovic said, “Alcaraz is 16 years younger than me, so I believe he will recover more easily from the tough five-set semifinal. I just hope to recover quickly myself and have enough energy to challenge him in the final. Let’s see what new form and level we both bring compared to last year’s Australian Open quarterfinals.”

Facing Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open final, Alcaraz fully understands the difficulty. After a 5-hour and 27-minute semifinal, battling with a right thigh injury, he finally defeated Germany’s powerhouse Zverev, avenging his four-set loss to Zverev in the 2024 Australian Open quarterfinals. Post-match, Alcaraz used ice packs, compression bandages, and physical therapy to treat his thigh injury, striving to get back to peak condition.

Alcaraz stated, “Although the career Grand Slam goal is within reach, I try not to think about it too much to avoid feeling nervous facing Djokovic on such a grand stage. Facing a player like him in a Grand Slam final is rare, but he is truly a tough opponent.” Indeed, against Djokovic, one must stay relaxed and not overly tense. Alcaraz has learned this lesson painfully before. In the 2023 French Open semifinals, when he first faced Djokovic in a Grand Slam, after splitting the first two sets, Alcaraz suffered cramps due to intense nerves in the third and fourth sets and was ultimately defeated.

Alcaraz also said, “I want to bring the fighting spirit from the semifinals into the final and be ready for another tough battle. In last year’s Australian Open semifinal against an injured Djokovic, after winning the first set, I hesitated and lost the next three. Against such a legendary opponent, I know I can’t hesitate even for a second. This year, I feel great and improve daily, which gives me great inner calm. Win or lose, I will play excellent tennis, and that gives me peace of mind.”

At 4:30 this afternoon, the 2026 Australian Open men’s singles final is about to ignite. Let us witness history together: will Djokovic set the record for the most Grand Slam titles with 25, or will Alcaraz become the youngest career Grand Slam champion ever?

(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Qicaidou Fan)