Emma Raducanu’s start to the 2026 season didn’t exactly inspire confidence.
The Brit showed up at the Australian Open still carrying a knock and fell to Anastasia Potapova in the second round, having reached only one semi-final in her previous four events.
After that loss, Raducanu decided it was time for another change, parting ways with coach Francisco Roig. It marked yet another move in a series of coaching changes that has become a regular feature of her career.
The latest split only added to the perception of instability around Raducanu’s setup, as fans continue to question whether she’ll ever settle on a coach for any significant period.
Emma Raducanu set for new career-high ranking after Transylvania Open first-round win
Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images
After a disappointing exit from the Australian Open, Emma Raducanu returned to action as the top seed at the 2026 Transylvania Open.
Her opening match was against Belgium’s Greet Minnen, where she looked sharp and confident, cruising to a 6-0, 6-4 victory. The result moved her up two spots in the ‘Live WTA Rankings’ to 28th.
The rise sees her move above her pre-Australian Open position of 29th.
It’s still early in the season but it could be a positive step towards re-establishing herself among the top players.
Emma Raducanu to face Kaja Juvan next in Romania
Raducanu’s next opponent in Cluj-Napoca will be Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan. The two haven’t faced each other before on the WTA Tour, but Juvan did draw attention as Elena Rybakina’s first-round opponent in Australia.
The Briton is expected to progress past the world number 97, but there are still several tough names she could run into later in the tournament. Olga Danilovic, Xinyu Wang and Jaqueline Cristian are all capable players. Still, given the field and her ranking advantage, anything short of a title could raise fresh doubts about Raducanu’s direction.
It’s been five years since she stunned the tennis world by winning the US Open, and while expectations may have been set too high early on, her results since then haven’t helped silence critics.
She hasn’t added another title or even reached another final since that breakout moment. And while injuries have played their part, there hasn’t been much sign that she’ll turn things around soon enough to challenge at the top again.
Her record against top-10 opponents highlights where improvements are needed. So far, Raducanu is 4-17 against players currently ranked inside that group and holds a positive head-to-head only against Amanda Anisimova and Belinda Bencic.
If she wants to climb back toward elite status – or even just quiet some of those doubts – a tournament win here would help set a better tone for her season ahead.
Carlos Alcaraz revealed he would celebrate winning a first Australian Open title by getting a tattoo of a kangaroo after completing the career grand slam in Melbourne.
The Spaniard has a strawberry to celebrate Wimbledon, an Eiffel Tower to mark his French Open and added the Statue of Liberty in September after winning his second US Open title in New York.
A little kangaroo, then, makes sense after his first Australian Open title. “It's going to be on the leg, for sure,” Alcaraz said. “I don't know if it will be the right or the left one.
“So I’ve got to choose a good spot, but it's going to be for sure close to the French Open or Wimbledon. I just have to choose.”
Before this year, the world No 1 had never made it past the quarter-finals in Melbourne but completed the set in record time as he denied Djokovic his own slice of history.
And Alcaraz said he was going to make sure he appreciate the size of his achievement. “In tennis, sometimes you don't stop yourself and think about what you're doing,” he said.
“What I've learned this year is it’s about appreciating and enjoying every single second of the moment you're living. Not only lifting the trophies, but playing tournaments, playing tennis, getting victories, the losses.
“Whatever it is, just enjoy and appreciate the life you're living. Right now I'm just trying to have a time to realise what I've been doing.
Carlos Alcaraz added the Australian Open title to complete his set of majors (Getty Images)
“I know I'm doing history with some trophies, some tournaments, the achievements that I've been getting. For me it's an honour to put my name on the history books.”
The 22-year-old came into the new season having split from his long-time coach Juan Carlos Ferrero and he did not hide away from the fact that the Australian Open and completing the career grand slam was the biggest goal of his year.
How Carlos Alcaraz ranks in list of men to complete career grand slam
Carlos Alcaraz: 22 years 272 days, completed at 2026 Australian Open
Don Budge: 22 years 363 days, completed at 1938 French Championships
Rod Laver: 24 years 32 days, completed at 1962 US National Championships
Rafael Nadal: 24 years 102 days, completed at2010 US Open
Fred Perry: 26 years 15 days, completed at 1935 French Championships
Roy Emerson: 27 years 244 days, completed at 1964 Wimbledon Championships
Roger Federer: 27 years 303 days, completed at 2009 Roland Garros
Novak Djokovic: 29 years 15 day, completed at 2016 Roland Garros
Andre Agassi: 29 years 68 days, completed at 1999 Roland Garros
“Every year that I came here to Australia I was thinking about getting the trophy. Couldn't happen. Couldn't go farther than quarter-finals,” he said.
”Coming this year I was hungry for more, ambitious for getting the trophy, and being strong mentally enough. I was not hearing anything or any words from [outside].
“Then just playing good tennis in this tournament means a lot, means the world to me, and it is a dream come true for me.”
In a high-stakes clash that pitted the established greatness of Novak Djokovic against the rising dominance of Carlos Alcaraz, the 2026 Australian Open final delivered a defining moment in men’s tennis. In the final, Alcaraz beat Djokovic.
Djokovic, at 38 years old, came into the match seeking a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title and hoping to add an unprecedented 11th Australian Open crown to his resume. The Serbian tennis star stormed through the first set 6-2 and looked in complete control early on.
However, Alcaraz, the world No. 1 at 22, elevated his game. After dropping the opening set, he shifted momentum towards Alcaraz, and he took the next three sets 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 to clinch his first Australian Open title and seventh major overall. It would be the 25th Grand Slam for Djokovic.
“Then I want to speak to the legendary Rafa who is on the stands,” Djokovic said during the speech. “Just a few words, just a few words. Obviously it feels very weird to see you there and not here, you know. But I just want to say it’s been an honor to share the court with you and to have you watching the finals here. It’s the first time for me and obviously a bit of a strange feeling, but thank you for being present.”
Djokovic also indicated that the 2026 Australian Open might have been his final appearance in Melbourne after losing the final to Carlos Alcaraz.
Speaking to the crowd at Rod Laver Arena, Djokovic sounded like a player acknowledging the end, hinting that his long chapter at Melbourne Park could be over.
After the electric comebacks, the magical shot-making, and the passion, belief and smile that had defined his remarkable ascent, this was the moment where Carlos Alcaraz took the step from generational talent to stand among the pantheon of the greatest tennis players of all time. As Novak Djokovic sensed his opportunity to make history, Alcaraz wrote his own: by winning his first Australian Open title, overturning Djokovic to win 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 and under enormous pressure, Alcaraz becomes the youngest man of all time to complete the career grand slam at 22 years and 272 days.
He joins the illustrious list of Don Budge, Fred Perry, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Djokovic to win all four major titles, doing so faster than anyone else. He is more than a year younger than Nadal was when he set the Open-era record at 2010 US Open at the age of 24. Fittingly, Nadal had a front-row seat at the Rod Laver Arena as Alcaraz continued to walk in his compatriot’s footsteps, while also breaking new ground. “Nobody knows how hard I’ve been working, to get this trophy, to chase this moment,” the Spaniard said.
Alcaraz denied Djokovic in his own bid to make tennis history, overturning his opponent’s fast start to win 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 (Getty)
It was Djokovic who perhaps summed up Alcaraz’s achievement best: “What you’ve been doing, I think the best word to describe it is historic, legendary, so congratulations and I wish you the best of luck for the rest of your career,” the runner-up said. “I mean, you’re so young, you have a lot of time, like myself! So I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other many more times in the next 10 years.”
But in doing so, Alcaraz denied Djokovic his own career-defining record. One way or another, history was guaranteed in a seismic final, as Djokovic attempted to claim the standalone tally of 25 grand slam singles titles and become the oldest grand slam champion of all time at the age of 38. Not for the first time, the Serbian was suppressed by Alcaraz, who defeated the greatest of all time for a third time in a grand slam final, and snapped his perfect record of 10 Australian Open finals without defeat.
After his epic effort to beat Jannik Sinner on Friday, Djokovic faded physically after making a blistering start to the final. But, as he closed in on the finish line, Alcaraz was forced to withstand a late charge as Djokovic conjured break points late in the fourth set. Throughout his young career, though, it has been in those moments when Alcaraz rises highest. It took a massive effort to get over the line, but after falling to his back when Djokovic fired his final forehand long, Alcaraz broke into the widest of smiles.
An emotional Alcaraz collapsed on the court after sealing a historic career grand slam triumph (Getty)
Before the final, the world No 1 made it perfectly clear how important the Australian Open and completing the career grand slam was to him; Alcaraz even said he would trade winning the three other grand slam titles this season for a first Australian Open. And yet, he arrived at his most important tournament of the year having split from his long-time coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, during the off-season. “It was a little bit of a rollercoaster, emotionally, what we went through,” Alcaraz said as he thanked his corner for helping him block out the noise. He still leaves Melbourne having achieved his biggest goal. “Job finished. 4/4 completed,” he wrote.
How Alcaraz ranks in list of men to complete their career grand slam
Carlos Alcaraz: 22 years 272 days, completed at 2026 Australian Open
Don Budge: 22 years 363 days (1938 French Championships)
Rod Laver: 24 years 32 days (1962 US National Championships)
Rafael Nadal: 24 years 102 days (2010 US Open)
Fred Perry: 26 years 15 days (1935 French Championships)
Roy Emerson: 27 years 244 days (1964 Wimbledon Championships)
Roger Federer: 27 years 303 days (2009 Roland Garros)
Novak Djokovic: 29 years 15 days (2016 Roland Garros)
Andre Agassi: 29 years 68 days (1999 Roland Garros)
Both men faced a huge test to recover for the final after coming through marathon semi-finals. Alcaraz defeated Alexander Zverev in five hours and 27 minutes in the third-longest Australian Open match of all time, before Djokovic produced one of his greatest ever performances to end Sinner’s dominant run across five sets and four hours and nine minutes. As the match finished well after midnight in Melbourne, Djokovic did not go to bed until 6am on Saturday morning and neither man trained on the day before the final as they attempted to recover. “I think he deserves an ovation,” Alcaraz said. “What he’s doing is inspiring.”
With 15 years and 348 days between them, Djokovic said the younger man would have the advantage in the attempt to find fresh legs, but it was the elder who came flying out of the blocks. Producing a brilliant level of precise serving and replicating the huge forehand strike that was so effective in beating Sinner from the baseline, Djokovic played an outstanding first set and made just four unforced errors in a 39-minute opener. “In front of me, I had a great and inspired Novak,” Alcaraz said afterwards.
The Serbian dug deep in an attempt to overcome a 16-year age difference and win a record 25th career grand slam (AP)
The second set brought a complete reverse, however, as Djokovic’s level of serving dipped and Alcaraz won the majority of baseline points. “I’m just very disappointed I wasn’t able to maintain that kind of feeling that I had in the first set,” admitted Djokovic, who remained proud of his Melbourne run after becoming the oldest finalist in the Open era. “I guess it is what it is. You have to just accept it as it is.”
With the conditions in Melbourne cold and windy, the final began under a partially shut roof on Rod Laver Arena. Before the start of the third set, with the chance of rain forecast, the roof closed further, with Alcaraz complaining to the tournament referee. But, with the elements becoming less of a factor, Alcaraz delivered a magical moment to defy Djokovic when the 38-year-old struck a backhand winner around the net post. Alcaraz salvaged a forehand from the baseline and, in an electric charge, broke Djokovic for a second time to move one set away from history.
Alcaraz upped his game significantly to win the second set (AFP/Getty)
Faced with another comeback, Djokovic called the trainer before the start of the fourth. But in an almighty effort and across a 12-minute service game, he saved six break points to stay alive. “I regained my energy and momentum,” he said. He found more precise serving when he desperately needed it as Alcaraz led 4-3, 0-30 in the fourth. Djokovic held again, then raised the temperature of the final and brought his supporters to their feet by setting up break point. Suddenly, as the weight of history became clear, Alcaraz withstood him, as Djokovic put a second-serve return into the net. “Just a bad miss,” he conceded.
After Alcaraz held to move 6-5 ahead, the Spaniard produced the finishing blow by winning a 24-shot rally with some of his finest ball-striking of the match. It seemed to break Djokovic, as he attempted to reach the tiebreak and extend his fight. Two errors in a row from Djokovic brought match point, and a further forehand error sealed Alcaraz’s place in tennis history.
Novak Djokovic found himself momentarily lost for words ahead of the Australian Open final after meeting a young cancer survivor whose story put the tournament into perspective.
As preparations intensified in Melbourne, Djokovic took time away from the court for a moment that proved more powerful than any match.
The encounter quickly resonated far beyond tennis.
Photo by James D. Morgan/Getty Images
Novak Djokovic moved by 12-year-old Imogen’s cancer journey
In a video shared on social media via Instagram, Djokovic listened as 12-year-old Imogen spoke openly about her battle with cancer and her mission since recovery.
“When I was eight years old I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. It was really hard to get through but eventually I’ve made to here – and I’m good now.
“Now I do a lot of awareness and fundraising and stuff to get the word out. To help other kids,” Imogen said.
Imogen’s calm and clarity left a visible impression on Djokovic, who appeared deeply affected by both her resilience and her selflessness.
The moment shifted the focus away from trophies and rankings, highlighting the impact athletes can have beyond sport.
Novak Djokovic responds with mentorship offer before Australian Open final
Djokovic responded thoughtfully when Imogen asked him what tennis meant to him, offering words that carried particular weight given the timing.
“I heard a lot about you. That is a really good and deep question. In a sense, it means everything because I’ve dedicated my whole life to it. If you really like it, I recommend it. I will be happy to be your mentor. We should hit some tennis balls,” the 38-year-old stated.
The exchange underscored Djokovic’s appreciation for perspective at the highest level of competition.
For Djokovic, the meeting served as a grounding moment, one that re-centred his purpose while amplifying Imogen’s message.
The encounter left a lasting impression, not just on Djokovic, but on fans who watched a champion listen, reflect, and respond with humility.
It's young versus old in the Australian Open men's final as world no.1 Carlos Alcaraz meets tennis immortal Novak Djokovic in what promises to be an epic.
Victory for Alcaraz will see him become the youngest career Grand Slam winner in history in an honour that could start his path to legendary status.
Established legend Djokovic is aiming for an 11th Australian Open championship (from 11 finals) and adding a 25th Grand Slam title to his coffers.
The Sporting News is following the Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz match live, providing score updates and commentary as it happens.
MORE: Australian Open men's final prize money 2026: Winnings breakdown for AO singles, doubles tennis players by round
Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz live score - Australian Open men's final
*Denotes server
Set 1
Set 2
Set 3
Set 4
[4] Novak Djokovic (SRB)*
6
2
3
0
[1] Carlos Alcaraz (ESP)
2
6
6
1
Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz updates, highlights and commentary
*Denotes server
Djokovic* 0-1 (6-2 2-6 3-6) Alcaraz*
15-0: Alcaraz uses his serve to win the first point
30-0: He nabs the second as well to take full control of his service game.
30-15: Novak claws one point back.
40-15: Djokovic can't return the serve.
Game CA: Ace for Carlos seals the hold.
BREAK, THIRD SET ALCARAZ - Djokovic* 3-6 (6-2 2-6) Alcaraz
0-15: Horrible start for Djokovic. Double fault. Pressure building. Must hold to stay in the set.\
0-30: Real trouble for Novak here. He nets a forehand.
0-40: Three set points for Alcaraz. This is not looking great for the legend.
15-40: Novak saves one set point with excellent forehand hitting.
30-40: Two saved by Djokovic. Wow. Can he save his service again from 0-40?
40-40: Incredible. Saves all three break points. The last one with an ace.
Adv CA: A backhand winner sets up a fourth set point for the world no.1
40-40: We go back to deuce. Huge serve from Novak.
Adv ND: Novak has a game point now. Amazing fightback from 0-40 down.
40-40: Djokovic tries the forehand down the line. Well wide though.
Adv ND: Novak is still fighting. He earns another game point.
40-40: Carlos drives into Novak's forehand side and he nets. Deuce. So tight.
Adv CA: Fifth set point for Alcaraz as Novak makes the error.
Break, set CA: Carlos gets there. He isn't far away now.
Djokovic 3-5 (6-2 2-6) Alcaraz*
15-0: Long rally. Novak goes down the line and misses.
30-0: Carlos hits a forehand drop shot winner. Brilliant.
30-15: Novak's turn to hit a forehand winner cross-court. Huge.
40-15: Amazing volley from Alcaraz forces the error from Novak.
40-30: Novak pulls a point back with a forehand smash.
Game CA: Djokovic makes the forced error and Alcaraz holds. One game from a two sets to one lead.
Djokovic* 3-4 (6-2 2-6) Alcaraz
15-0: Another forehand winner for the legend. That's his make or break side tonight.
15-15: Amazing scramble net point. Carlos just too good.
30-15: Novak puts away the weak return. He is fighting for his life here.
40-15: An ace sets up two game points for Djokovic.
Game ND: Hold for Novak. Keeps him alive in the set.
Djokovic 2-4 (6-2 2-6) Alcaraz*
15-0: Unreturned serve. Great start for Alcaraz.
15-15: Novak brings Carlos in with a drop shot and then wins the point.
30-15: Djokovic pushing the bargain makes the unforced error.
30-30: Double fault for Alcaraz. Pressure point coming.
40-30: Forehand winner from Carlos sets up game point.
Game CA: Alcaraz consolidates the break. Tough one. Close to this set now.
BREAK ALCARAZ - Djokovic* 2-3 (6-2 2-6) Alcaraz
0-15: Double fault for Djokovic. Horrible start here.
0-30: Here Carlos comes. Alcaraz gets himself back into the point and wins at the net.
15-30: Missed chance for Alcaraz has he hits the backhand long - unforced.
15-40: This time it's Novak with the unforced error on the backhand side. Two break points.
Break CA: Here he comes. Alcaraz on the march. Big yell.
Djokovic 2-2 (6-2 2-6) Alcaraz*
15-0: Djokovic goes around the net but Alcaraz makes it back. Wow.
15-15: Alcaraz hits the forehand long. Unforced.
30-15: Djokovic drives the back hand too long.
30-30: Pressure point for Alcaraz. Djokovic hits deep into Carlos forehand and the error is forced.
40-30: Amazing angle on the forehand from Carlos. Incredible.
Game CA: An unforced error from Novak seals the hold for Alcaraz.
Djokovic* 2-1 (6-2 2-6) Alcaraz
15-0: Drop shot winner for Novak after Alcaraz's mis-hit return.
30-0: Brilliant serve from Djokovic and then sizzling forehand winner.
40-0: Novak lifting here. Three game points.
Game ND: Easy hold for the legend. He needed that.
Djokovic 1-1 (6-2 2-6) Alcaraz*
15-0: Djokovic tries everything, Alcaraz defends, and then makes the pass. Wow.
30-0: Now a forehand winner from Carlos. He is warming up here.
40-0: Novak scrambles to the backhand but can't get the shot back in play.
Game CA: Alcaraz holds.
Djokovic* 1-0 (6-2 2-6) Alcaraz
0-15: Novak drives into the net. Not a great start.
0-30: Wow. Straight to 0-30. Another unforced error from Djokovic.
15-30: Novak wins the point at the net. Magnificent.
30-30: Unforced error from Novak.
40-30: Forehand error from Alcaraz sets up game point for Djokovic.
40-40: Novak drives into the net and it's deuce.
Adv ND: Excellent serve from Djokovic. Gets the AD.
Game ND: Novak holds as Carlos misses the forehand.
SECOND SET ALCARAZ - Djokovic 2-6 (6-2) Alcaraz*
0-15: Excellent return by Djokovic, forces the error from Carlos.
15-15: Novak bunts the return long.
30-15: Again an unreturned serve.
40-15: Alcaraz slams a forehand winner. Two set points.
Game, Set CA: Djokovic nets and it's second set for Carlos.
BREAK ALCARAZ - Djokovic* 2-5 (6-2) Alcaraz
15-0: Alcaraz gets the tame second serve but can't get it over the net.
15-15: Novak hooks the back hand wide.
15-30: More pressure for Djokovic. As Alcaraz flips one down the line
15-40: Two break points for Alcaraz again.
Break CA: Another break for Alcaraz. Djokovic now off the boil.
Djokovic 2-4 (6-2) Alcaraz*
15-0: Brilliant body second serve from Alcaraz. He eventually creams a forehand winner.
30-0: Unreturned serve.
40-0: Huge ace from Carlos down the middle.
Game CA: Comfortable hold wrapped by the world no.1
Djokovic* 2-3 (6-2) Alcaraz
15-0: Novak brings Alcaraz in, the Spaniard gets there but then Djokovic hits the winner.
30-0: Djokovic serves and volleys on the second serve, makes the drop volley.
40-0: Alcaraz gets a look at a second serve again but smashes it into the net.
40-15: Lucky backhand return winner off the net cord for Alcaraz.
Game ND: Alcaraz drop shot comes up short. Hold.
Djokovic 1-3 (6-2) Alcaraz*
0-15: Djokovic responds with a backhand winner.
15-15: Ace for Alcaraz restores parity in the game.
15-30: Alcaraz tries to volley the ball going long and he misses. Wow.
30-30: Pressure point coming up after Djokovic makes an unforced error.
30-40: Wow. Break back point for Novak as Carlos hits long.
40-40: Saved by Alcaraz - with Novak making another forehand unforced error. It is misfiring at the moment.
Adv CA: Unreturned serve as Novak hits it well long.
Game CA: Alcaraz comes in to pass Djokovic and he can't get it back. Carlos is lifting.
BREAK ALCARAZ - Djokovic* 1-2 (6-2) Alcaraz
15-0: Another plus one after serve for Novak.
15-15: Novak smashes a forehand long.
15-30: Alcaraz making more inroads on Djokovic's serve. Gets the lucky net cord.
15-40: You can feel this match turning. Unforced error for Novak. Two break points.
Break CA: Djokovic serve-volleys and his misses the backhand. Here Carlos comes.
Djokovic 1-1 (6-2) Alcaraz*
15-0: Carlos crushes the forehand winner. Can that fire him up? He is so flat.
30-0: Another quick point for Carlos.
40-0: Djokovic just hits the pass long.
Game CA: An ace gets the easy hold. Will that get him going?
Djokovic* 1-0 (6-2) Alcaraz
0-15: Djokovic drills a forehand into the net. Unforced error.
0-30: Another unforced mistake from Novak on the forehand side.
15-30: Novak pulls one point back.
30-30: Long rally. Carlos makes the mistake. Looks so flat.
40-30: Djokovic's serve forces Alcaraz to return long.
40-40: Another long rally. Alcaraz finally shows something. Takes Novak out of the court.
Adv ND: Novak serve gets the advantage and Alcaraz makes the error eventually.
Game ND: Djokovic uses the drop shot and Alcaraz can't get it in play. Wow.
BREAK, FIRST SET DJOKOVIC - Djokovic 6-2 Alcaraz*
15-0: Alcaraz starts the game with an ace
15-15: Carlos flips a forehand wide. Still looks off here. Hard to see him breaking back unless a switch is flipped suddenly.
15-30: Long rally. Novak gets it. Too good at the moment.
15-40: Wow. Two more break points as Djokovic hits a winner.
Break, set ND: Incredible. Cleans Alcaraz up with a double break.
Djokovic* 5-2 Alcaraz
15-0: Alcaraz hits the second serve return into the net.
30-0: Forehand battle - Alcaraz nets. Djokovic well on top.
40-0: Drop shot winner for Novak now. Flying.
Game ND: Comfortable hold completed. He is one game away from the first set.
Djokovic 4-2 Alcaraz*
0-15: Alcaraz hooks a forehand wide. He looks off at the moment.
0-30: Now it's a forehand long. Pressure for Alcaraz again.
15-30: Novak has a go down the line but misses by a long way.
30-30: Excellent serve by Alcaraz gets the impetus and he wins the point. Still a pressure point here.
40-30: Service winner for Carlos. His serve is starting to look in rhythm.
Game CA: Alcaraz drills a forehand winner and he holds from 0-30.
Djokovic* 4-1 Alcaraz
0-15: Great start for Alcaraz. First point back.
15-15: An ace from Djokovic restores parity.
30-15: Novak crushes a backhand winner. He looks imperious at the moment.
40-15: Alcaraz nets.
Game ND: Novak consolidates the break for an unreturned serve.
BREAK DJOKOVIC - Djokovic 3-1 Alcaraz*
0-15: In roads in a service game. Djokovic gets a second serve and forces Alcaraz to make an error.
15-15: Serve-drop shot combo for Carlos.
30-15: Novak gets forced wide, goes for the forehand down the line and just misses.
30-30: Ohhh. A double fault for Alcaraz sets up a pressure point.
30-40: First break point for Djokovic. Alcaraz with the unforced error.
40-40: Saved! Carlos executes the drop shot off the return. Cold as ice.
Adv ND: A second break point for Novak. Djokovic forces the error.
40-40: A forehand winner for Alcaraz saves the break point once again.
Adv ND: Djokovic steps up on Alcaraz's second serve to create a third break point. Pressure is on.
Break ND: What a start for Novak. Alcaraz hits long.
Djokovic* 2-1 Alcaraz
15-0: Alcaraz makes the unforced error
30-0: Novak steps up to make another forehand winner. Looks on song early.
40-0: Djokovic races to three game points.
Game ND: Clean backhand winner for Novak. Both players have started well.
Djokovic 1-1 Alcaraz*
15-0: Alcaraz sends an ace out wide
30-0: Novak tries to go down the line but nets
40-0: Serve-winner combo for Alcaraz. Races to 40-0
40-15: Cracking forehand down the line for Djokovic
Game CA: Alcaraz executes the smash and secures the easy hold
Djokovic* 1-0 Alcaraz
15-0: Djokovic gains the first point as Alcaraz hits long
30-0: Alcaraz can't get the return over the net
40-0: Novak drills Alcaraz's return for a backhand winner
40-15: Alcaraz pulls a point back
Game ND: Solid serving game for Novak. Comfortable hold
Novak Djokovic to serve - Match start
7:40 PM: Players are warming up - we will begin shortly.
7:38 PM: Alcaraz and Djokovic have both entered the court.
7:35 PM: Players are getting their final wishes from their team before entering the court.
7:20 PM: Sophie Ellis-Bextor is performing right now. Players are 10-15 minutes away from entering the court.
7:00 PM: Alcaraz won their last meeting on hard court - in straight sets at the US Open 2025 semi-final stage.
6:55 PM: Alcaraz 3-0 is looking good value at the moment at $2.82 (Betfair) - Novak saved 16 of 18 break points vs. Sinner - the story could have been different.
6:50 PM: Alcaraz is currently $1.36 favourite to win H2H with the bookies, Djokovic is sitting at $3.70 (odds courtesy of Betfair).
6:45 PM: This will be Djokovic's 11th Australian Open final - he has never lost one before. The true Melbourne Park end boss.
6:35 PM: Novak leads the H2H 5-4 - but will Alcaraz square it up by the end of the night?
6:30 PM (local time): Welcome to Rod Laver Arena for tonight's Australian Open men's final match between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.
How to watch the Australian Open: TV channel, free-to-air guide in Australia
The Nine Network is the free-to-air home of the Australian Open in 2026.
All key matches will be broadcast free on TV across the Channel 9 and 9Gem channels.
Broadcast schedules will be determined on a daily basis but matches involving Australians and other notable players will typically receive free-to-air priority.
Channel 9 will serve as the main broadcast channel with 9Gem also providing day-long coverage.
Australian Open live stream: How to watch online in Australia
Aussie fans can stream this year’s Australian Open on subscription service Stan Sport.
In 2026 every match will be streamed live and on demand in 4K, making it the perfect choice for dedicated tennis fans who want uninterrupted coverage.
Stan Sport will also feature tournament shoulder programming including the magazine-style show Grand Slam Daily streaming every morning.
Alcaraz is an Australian Open title away from having won all four of the major titles - and would be the youngest man to achieve the feat if he does so this year.
But after one of the most dramatic semi-final days the tournament has seen, Djokovic returned to his 11th Australian Open final by stunning the defending champion Jannik Sinner in five sets to move one win away from the standalone record of 25 grand slam singles titles. Djokovic, at 38, is also bidding to become the oldest Australian Open champion of all time.
Sabalenka, meanwhile, bids to regain her Australian Open crown as she faces Rybakina in a big-hitting rematch of their dramatic final from three years ago.
The world No 1 was stunned by Madison Keys in last year’s final but is looking to win her third title in four years after reaching another final in Melbourne, having beaten Rybakina to win her first in 2023.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Is the Australian Open on TV?
The tournament will be shown live on TNT Sports in the UK as well as online on Discovery+.
In the US, it will be shown live on ESPN and Tennis Channel.
Craig Tiley, the leader of the Australian Open, plans to push for a series of transformational changes to the tournament, including having women’s matches best-of-five sets, rather than best of three, from the quarterfinals onward.
“All the research shows interest grows as the match goes on,” Tiley said in an interview Sunday afternoon ahead of the men’s final.
“As a sport, we need to evolve.”
Grand Slams can propose rules that make them different from each other. In the 2000s and 2010s, the majors had different rules for how to end a match, from long sets to tiebreaks at different scorelines. They unified on a 10-point match tiebreak in 2022.
Tiley, who has gained a reputation as the most innovative leader in tennis, said remaking the women’s format was one of a series of changes he wants to see in the coming years.
Other changes include remaking the look of the tennis court, beginning with getting rid of the umpire’s chair. Umpires would still have a role in overseeing matches, but they would carry that out from a seat on the side of the court, a bunker underneath the stadium. From there, they could come onto the court to settle any disputes that arise.
Tiley also wants to speed up the pace of the competition by getting rid of the warmup time ahead of the match and ending “lets” on serve, which he says add about 15 hours of match time over the course of the tournament.
Tiley said that beginning next year, the player benches will change into mini performance centers. They will have heating and cooling technology, the ability to measure a player’s physical condition, and screens that might give players access to the same data the coaches have, if the rules on data collection are adjusted to allow it.
There will also be a series of changes to the fan experience. The tournament plans to add more space, shade, seats and screens to allow the tournament to handle its growing popularity.
Some 1.3 million fans came through the gates during the past three weeks, with record attendance on many of the days. That led to complaints about long lines, as well as fans being unable to watch any matches on courts without reserved seating.
Tiley said the tournament was trying to grow while making sure the fan experience stayed enjoyable.
The tournament will bring back the successful One-Point Slam, likely with even more main draw players who want a shot at the $1 million AUD prize.
Tiley’s proposals come at a unique moment for tennis. Many of them will have to be discussed with players, who are pushing for more input in the operation of all tournaments, and the other leaders of Grand Slams. The women’s players might not
Also, Tiley is a leading candidate to become the new leader of the U.S. Tennis Association and the U.S. Open. He declined to comment on whether he expected to be leading the Australian Open next year, but said Tennis Australia has a five-year plan to incorporate these changes, many of which have a financial component. Remaking the player bench areas could allow the tournament to collect more money from sponsors that supply the equipment. Getting rid of the umpire chairs could remove an obstruction from some of the most expensive seats.
Tiley would like to have the support of the other Grand Slams but knows some of them might resist changes, and Tennis Australia has previously made competition changes on its own. Not long ago, all four Grand Slams had those different rules for final-set tiebreaks.
“There are going to be people who say this is ridiculous and others who say it is a good idea,” he said. “The idea is to have a discussion.”
Women have previously expressed little interest in playing best of five. Many have complained the sport’s leaders are already asking too much of them.
One way or another, history will be made in the Australian Open final on Sunday as Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz meet with two career-defining achievements on the line.
After one of the most dramatic semi-final days the tournament has seen, Djokovic returned to his 11th Australian Open final by stunning the defending champion Jannik Sinner in five sets to move one win away from the standalone record of 25 grand slam singles titles. Djokovic, at 38, is also bidding to become the oldest Australian Open champion of all time.
At the other end of the scale, world No 1 Alcaraz can become the youngest man of all time to complete the career grand slam, at the age of 22, after reaching his first Australian Open final. The Spaniard triumphed in five hours and 27 minutes to beat Alexander Zverev in five sets on Friday, in the longest semi-final in the tournament’s history.
Alcaraz and Djokovic have previously met in two grand slam finals, with Alcaraz beating him twice at Wimbledon. But Djokovic won an epic Olympics final in Paris 18 months ago, before beating Alcaraz in last year’s Australian Open quarter-finals. After ending Sinner’s dominant run, and breaking the Sinner-Alcaraz duopoly of finals, no one will be counting Djokovic out this time.
When is Novak Djokovic v Carlos Alcaraz?
The men’s final at the Australian Open between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz will begin from 8:30am GMT (UK time).
Is the Australian Open on TV?
The tournament will be shown live on TNT Sports in the UK as well as online on Discovery+.
In the US, it will be shown live on ESPN and Tennis Channel.
Novak Djokovic v Carlos Alcaraz head-to-head
This will be the 10th tour-level match between Djokovic and Alcaraz and their sixth over best of five sets. Djokovic currently leads the head to head 5-4, but Alcaraz won their last meeting at the US Open semi-finals, winning in straight-sets.
Before then, Djokovic had won all three times they had met on a hard-court and Alcaraz’s previous two wins over Djokovic had come in the Wimbledon final, in 2023 and 2024. They have met at the Australian Open once before, with Djokovic winning in the quarter-finals last year.
2026: Australian Open final (outdoor hard) - ?
2025: US Open semi-final (outdoor hard) - Alcaraz won 6-4 7-6 6-2
2025: Australian Open quarter-final (outdoor hard) - Djokovic won 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4
2024: Olympics final (clay) - Djokovic won 7-6 7-6
2024: Wimbledon final (grass) - Alcaraz won 6-2 6-2 7-6
2023: ATP Finals semi-final (indoor hard) - Djokovic won 6-3 6-2
2023: Cincinnati final (outdoor hard) - Djokovic won 5-7 7-6 7-6
2023: Wimbledon final (grass) - Alcaraz won 1-6 7-6 6-1 2-6 6-4
2023: French Open semi-final (clay) - Djokovic won 6-2 5-7 6-1 6-1
2022: Madrid semi-final (clay) Alcaraz won 6-7 7-5 7-6
What happened in the semi-finals?
Possibly one of the most dramatic days the Australian Open has seen. First, Carlos Alcaraz proved why he is the five-set king of tennis as the world No 1 won defeated Alexander Zverev to keep his career grand slam bid alive in five hours and 27 minutes.
Alcaraz looked to be cruising into his first Australian Open final without dropping a set as he led third seed Zverev after two close sets, but as he neared the finish line at 4-4 in the third, the 22-year-old dramatically pulled up, stretching his right leg.
With his movement severely limited, Alcaraz was in serious danger as Zverev forced the fourth set on a tiebreak and then won another tiebreak to take it into the decider. Zverev then broke Alcaraz’s serve in the first game of the fifth.
But the Spaniard somehow managed to hang on, giving himself time to recover physically as the semi-final became the longest ever played at the Australian Open. As Zverev served for the match, Alcaraz broke back, winning the final four games in a row 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (3-7) 6-7 (4-7) 7-5.
“It's one of the most demanding matches that I have ever played in my short career,” Alcaraz said. “I've been in this kind of matches before, so I knew what I had to do. I had to put my heart into the match.”
Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after winning his semi-final match against Alexander Zverev in five hours and 27 minutes (Reuters)
Then, a 38-year-old Novak Djokovic became the oldest Australian Open men’s finalist of all time after ending defending champion Jannik Sinner’s winning run in another five-set epic to set up a final with world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz.
Djokovic will bid for the standalone record of 25 grand slam titles, and his first in 18 months, on Sunday after producing a vintage performance against the 24-year-old Sinner, who had won his last five matches against Djokovic and his last 19 in a row at this tournament.
In doing so, Djokovic battled from two sets to one down, denying Sinner a fourth consecutive grand slam final against his rival Alcaraz, and proving that he remains a contender for the biggest titles in a match where he began as the major underdog.
Djokovic’s bid for a record 25th grand slam title looked to be over as he trailed Lorenzo Musetti by two sets in the quarter-finals on Wednesday, but Djokovic admitted he was on his way home and “extremely lucky” to progress as the Italian retired with a right leg injury.
“There's a lot of people that doubt me,” he later said. “I see there is a lot of experts all of a sudden that wanted to retire me or have retired me many times the last couple of years. You know, I want to thank them all, because they gave me strength. They gave me motivation to prove them wrong, which I have tonight. For me, it's not a surprise, to be honest.”
(AFP via Getty Images)
What has Novak Djokovic said about Carlos Alcaraz?
“History is on the line for both of us every time we play. The finals of a 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. 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. I think it's going to be a bit easier for him to recover.
“I look forward to it. 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.”
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