Quick Served: Australian Open Men's Final
Carlos Alcaraz is a legend, and Novak Djokovic is immortal.
It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish, Chuckers.
The maxim applied to the 2026 Australian Open tournament as a whole and its final match writ small. Andy and Producer Mike (and Brooke with a golden contribution) cut through the dizzying chapter in the sport we just witnessed and get to the heart of the story—the weight of history.
In this episode:
Carlos Alcaraz strolling into legend territory at 22 years old
Novak Djokovic’s combination of level and longevity
Appreciation for Edberg, Wilander, Agassi, Lendl and more greats
What about Juan Carlos Ferrero?
Served will be back Tuesday with our Australian Open Recap Show, final Bracket Challenge results and what’s coming up this week from Served and Love All. For today, let’s let this one bloom.
Men’s Final Recap
Carlos Alcaraz [1] def. Novak Djokovic [4] 2–6, 6–2, 6–3, 7–5
Djokovic delivered one set of peak vintage form, with a little added aggression and urgency. He won the set easily, just as in the last seven finals he had played in Rod Laver Arena.
But Alcaraz, showing no signs of injury or fatigue from his five-and-a-half-hour semifinal, got off the mat immediately in the second set as Djokovic’s energy dropped. In his press conference, Djokovic hinted about a physical issue but demurred on the details.
🎤 Djokovic
“My energy level went completely down from north to south in two games. I never like to talk about things that I go through physically or health-wise, because it’s going to come across as I’m looking for excuses and taking away the credit of the winner, so it’s not going to change this time. I’m just going to congratulate Carlos. He was the deserved winner on the court today.”
Alcaraz never looked back once he took control of the match, even as Djokovic got the crowd involved and found a second wind—and a break point at 4–4 in the fourth set. He netted a meek forehand, and a few minutes later, Alcaraz became the youngest man to win a career Grand Slam.
Djokovic tried not to steal Alcaraz’s thunder in the trophy ceremony, but perhaps that was just as hard as beating him. Djokovic cracked a good joke about playing Alcaraz for the next 10 years, addressed Rafael Nadal in the stands, loved on the crowd and then carefully avoided his usual “I’ll see you next year” sign-off.
🎤 Djokovic
“God knows what happens tomorrow, let alone in six months or 12 months, so it has been a great ride. I love you guys.”
Alcaraz set a slew of records; he matched Serena Williams in winning each Slam in his maiden final, an Open Era first for a man. Much will be made about his age. But after the match, reflecting on his achievement, he sounded far wiser than his 22 years.
🎤 Alcaraz
“I’m going to say tennis is really beautiful, but the bad part of tennis is we have tournaments week after week after week, and sometimes you don’t realize what you’ve been doing lately, because, you know, once you finish, you’ve got to be prepared or your mind is about going to the next tournament. So sometimes you don’t stop yourself and think about what you’re doing.”
“What I’ve learned this year is to appreciate and enjoy every single second of the moment you’re living. Not only lifting the trophies, but playing tournaments, playing tennis, getting victories, getting losses. Whatever it is, just enjoy and appreciate the life you’re living.”
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Insightful, and your point of view, Andy, always oozes so much respect and support for the players and love for the game. This is why I enjoy your analysis, and your self-deprecating humor when you were wrong about something. Thank you!