Australian Open 2026 Final HIGHLIGHTS | Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic HIGHLIGHTS: The iconic Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne Park became the stage for a historic inter-generational battle but in the end it was Carlos Alcaraz who beat Novak Djokovic in four sets- 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5.
On one side was the 38-year-old Novak Djokovic, a 10-time Melbourne champion who was just one win away from an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title. On the other was the 22-year-old world number one, Carlos Alcaraz, who was bidding to become the youngest man in the Open Era to complete a Career Grand Slam, and the end it was the Spaniard who had the last laugh after losing the first set.
Carlos Alcaraz bags Rs 26.5 crore prize money
The road to this dream final was paved with grit and drama. Carlos Alcaraz survived a marathon semi-final against Alexander Zverev, a match that lasted 5 hours and 27 minutes, the longest in Australian Open semi-final history, despite battling visible groin discomfort.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic turned back the clock to snap a five-match losing streak against the two-time defending champion, Jannik Sinner. In a late-night thriller that finished at 01:30 AM (local time), the Serbian warrior saved 16 of 18 break points to prove that he still had it in him.
However, Carlos Alcaraz’s victory helps him bag a record Rs 26.5 crore prize money.
Head-to-head record now stands levelled
The victory now means Djokovic their head-to-head record stands levelled at 5-5 but the rivalry has been a split affair recently. Alcaraz had defeated the Serb even in their last Grand Slam final meeting at Wimbledon. Djokovic had never lost a final at Rod Laver Arena before this, with his record now standing at 1 loss in 11 finals.
Djokovic eased past Alcaraz in the first set but as the match went deep, his intensity dimmed and Alcaraz did not miss out on any opportunities.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2026 Final HIGHLIGHTS: Here is our coverage recap of an epic fixture
That is all from our side as we bring the curtain down on a historic night at Melbourne Park.
From Novak Djokovic’s initial dominance to Carlos Alcaraz’s staggering comeback to clinch his first Australian Open title and a Career Grand Slam, it has been a privilege to bring you every serve, volley, and championship point live.
Thank you for following our real-time updates and being part of this monumental moment in sporting history.
Stay tuned to Financial Express Sports for more sporting action. Until next time, thank you and goodbye!
Alcaraz vs Djokovic LIVE Score, Australian Open 2026 Final: Players to complete a career Grand Slam
List of men to complete the Career Grand Slam:
Fred Perry
Don Budge
Rod Laver
Roy Emerson
Andre Agassi
Roger Federer
Rafael Nadal
Novak Djokovic
Carlos Alcaraz
Alcaraz vs Djokovic LIVE Score, Australian Open 2026 Final: Carlos says Djokovic is inspiring him
Seven-time Grand slam winner Carlos Alcaraz says he gets "inspired" by what Djokovic is doing. "Thank you very much for what you're doing, it's really inspiring to me," he said after the match.
"I didn't think I would be standing at a closing ceremony once again, so a big thanks to you (the fans) for pushing me on," says Djokovic after the defeat. The Serb says it felt "weird" to see him as a spectator in a final for the first time.
Carlos Alcaraz is the youngest ever to complete a career Grand slam. He beats Novak Djokovic in four sets- 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic LIVE Score, Australian Open 2026 Final: Novak trails 15-30
Crucial moment in this match as Novak trails 15-30. Crowd behind the Serbian.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic LIVE Score, Australian Open 2026 Final: Set 4, Game 12, Djokovic to serve
Djokovic MUST win to keep this match alive. Else Alcaraz will take the crown. He has always been a 'CHASER'. Yet again he finds himself in that position but it's one which he likes as it motivates him to push harder.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic LIVE Score, Australian Open 2026 Final: Alcaraz has won six games in Set 4
Alcaraz has won six games in Set 4. Now Djokovic turns to win his sixth to push the set into a tie-breaker. It's not over yet.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic LIVE Score, Australian Open 2026 Final: Lots of forehand errors again in this game
Forehand Forced Errors but Carlos Alcaraz won't mind. He leads 30-0 in this game before Djokovic makes it 15-30.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic LIVE Score, Australian Open 2026 Final: Djokovic wins! It's 5-5 in Set 4
Woah! It's not over yet. Djokovic survives like he so often has in his career.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic LIVE Score, Australian Open 2026 Final: It's 15-15
Pressure would be on Novak Djokovic at this stage.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic LIVE Score, Australian Open 2026 Final: MUST WIN GAME FOR NOVAK
The Serbian starts well to make it 15-0. He must win, else the match is lost.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic LIVE Score, Australian Open 2026 Final: Carlos holds!
Despite Djokovic's best efforts, Carlos holds to lead 5-4 in Set 4. Will he finish off the match by winning the next game?
Alcaraz vs Djokovic LIVE Score, Australian Open 2026 Final: NOVAK roars!
This is really his territory traditionally. At his prime, Djokovic won all the matches that went deep into the fourth and fifth sets. At 38, does he still have it in him though? He roars after a terrific point in the Game 9 of ALcaraz's serve.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic LIVE Score, Australian Open 2026 Final: Djokovic gets the crowd going
Djokovic gets the crowd going. Tells them to cheer after winning the first point of Game 9 in Set 4.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic LIVE Score, Australian Open 2026 Final: It's 4-4 in Set 4
Alcaraz loses the point with a forehand forced error. Fantastic from Djokovic. He manages to hold his serve, makes it 4-4 in Set 4.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic LIVE Score, Australian Open 2026 Final: This Djokovic SERVICE game is going close
This Djokovic SERVICE game is going close. Can he hold his serve again?
Carlos holds his serve. He now leads 4-3 in Set 4, having already won two sets in the past.
Djokovic wins the game to make it 3-3 in Set 4. It's close in this set but the pressure will be on Djokovic if this goes deep as he will play to survive.
Carlos has started well off his serve again. He does not concede a point, leads 3-2 in Set 4, well on his way to make it the final set of the match and career a career Grand Slam.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic LIVE Score, Australian Open 2026 Final: Djokovic makes it 2-2 in Set 4
Djokovic makes it 2-2 in Set 4. This is a must-win set for Djokovic. If he loses this, he loses the match.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic LIVE Score, Australian Open 2026 Final: Alcaraz wins the game
Alcaraz wins the game to go 2-1 up in the fourth set.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic LIVE Score, Australian Open 2026 Final: Another intense game ongoing
Novak taking his time to get ready in between serves. This was always going to be a test of his physical strength as much as his mental resilience.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic LIVE Score, Australian Open 2026 Final: Djokovic holds
Djokovic holds after a long game. He smiles. There is still life in this match. Can he win this set to get into the fifth set?
Djokovic trying hard to hold his serve but Alcaraz testing with all that he has got. What a game of tennis this from both the players.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic LIVE Score, Australian Open 2026 Final: Will Alcaraz make this the final set of the match?
Will Alcaraz make this the final set of the match or will Djokovic have it in him to force the match into a decider?
Alcaraz vs Djokovic LIVE Score, Australian Open 2026 Final: Again break points for Alcaraz
Again break points for Alcaraz early in the fourth set. Is Novak running out of steam against his younger opponent?
Alcaraz vs Djokovic LIVE Score, Australian Open 2026 Final: And now Novak is 0-30 down
And now Novak is 0-30 down in the second game of Set 4.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic LIVE Score, Australian Open 2026 Final: Lots of forced forehand error
Lots of forced forehand error in the first game of Set 4. Ultimately though Alcaraz takes the game to lead 1-0 in Set 4.
Carlos wins the game, takes the third set 6-3 to lead 2-1 in the final.