Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar congratulated Carlos Alcaraz after he won his maiden Australian Open title by defeating Novak Djokovic in a thrilling four-set final in Melbourne on Sunday.

Tendulkar praised Alcaraz’s patience throughout the Grand Slam tournament.

“What stood out at the Australian Open was Carlos Alcaraz’s patience. In long rallies, he stayed calm, kept his opponent under pressure, and picked his moments well. The way he covered the court was quick and precise, and it was a joy to watch. Congratulations @carlosalcaraz! A brave effort from @DjokerNole as well,” Tendulkar wrote on X.

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What stood out at the Australian Open was Carlos Alcaraz’s patience. In the longer rallies, he stayed composed, kept his opponent under pressure, and chose his moments smartly. And the way he covered the court, so quick and precise, was a joy to watch! Congratulations… pic.twitter.com/c2MBeBNjC6

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 1, 2026

Alcaraz Creates History at Australian Open

World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz created history on Sunday by becoming the youngest player to complete a Career Grand Slam after winning his maiden Australian Open title, according to the ATP.

The 22-year-old Spaniard achieved the milestone by defeating his longtime rival and Serbian great Novak Djokovic in the final in Melbourne. With this win, Alcaraz secured his seventh Grand Slam title.

Dominant Win Over Djokovic

Alcaraz beat the 10-time Australian Open champion in a thrilling four-set final, winning 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5. The match lasted three hours and two minutes, with Alcaraz showing calm, control, and strong movement on the court.

This was also Alcaraz’s first-ever final in Melbourne since making his Australian Open debut.

Joins Elite Company

According to the ATP, Alcaraz is now the sixth man in the Open Era to complete a Career Grand Slam. Only four players have achieved this feat in the 21st century. Djokovic was the latest before Alcaraz, completing it in 2016, followed by Rafael Nadal in 2010 and Roger Federer in 2009.

Men’s Open Era Career Grand Slam Winners

Players to complete the Career Grand Slam in the Men’s Open Era are:

• Carlos Alcaraz (22 years, 272 days)

• Rod Laver (24 years, 32 days)

• Rafael Nadal (24 years, 102 days)

• Roger Federer (27 years, 303 days)

• Novak Djokovic (29 years, 15 days)

• Andre Agassi (29 years, 68 days)

The ATP noted that Rod Laver first completed the Career Grand Slam as an amateur in 1962 and again in the Open Era in 1969.

With this achievement, Alcaraz has firmly placed himself among the greatest players in tennis history.

The Indian cricket team currently prepares for the T20 World Cup while they monitor the most important sports event of the year. Indian cricketers Ishan Kishan and Arshdeep Singh revealed their preferred champions for the Australian Open 2026 men's singles final which Novak Djokovic will compete against Carlos Alcaraz at Rod Laver Arena on February 1. 

The upcoming final match will feature two players from different generations who both want to achieve historic milestones at Melbourne Park. Djokovic is targeting his 11th Australian Open championship which would also become his 25th Grand Slam singles title. The Serbian legend reached his 11th final in Melbourne after a gruelling five-set semifinal victory over Jannik Sinner, once again showcasing his trademark resilience on the biggest stage.

Alcaraz reached his first Australian Open final after he defeated Alexander Zverev in their semifinal match which lasted 5 hours and 27 minutes making it the longest semifinal match in tournament history. A World No 1 player who faced cramps and extreme physical fatigue demonstrated impressive determination to advance to the final match. A Sunday victory would grant him both his first Australian Open title and a complete career Grand Slam, making him the youngest player to achieve this milestone.

Watch the video:

Team Carlos Alcaraz or Team Novak Djokovic? 🎾🤔

Here’s who @ishankishan51 and @arshdeepsinghh are backing ahead of the Australian Open final 😎 #TeamIndia | @AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/gNUYB2v3qu

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 1, 2026

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Kishan backs Alcaraz’s fearless style, Arshdeep trusts Djokovic’s experience in Australian Open final

Ishan Kishan revealed his support for Alcaraz after India won their fifth T20I match against New Zealand. The left-handed batter explained that he relates to the Spaniard’s aggressive, instinctive style of play, which he sees as a modern batting approach used by India’s current players.

The experienced Arshdeep Singh backed Djokovic because he showed coolness during matches together with his desire to win his 25th Grand Slam title. The Australian Open 2026 final presents an exciting match between two top players because their head-to-head record stands even, while both competitors aim to achieve historic milestones.

Players competing at this year’s Australian Open will be playing for the biggest prize pool in the tournament’s history. Organisers have confirmed a major increase in total prize money, making the event even more rewarding for players across all rounds. The rise highlights the growing financial strength of the season’s first Grand Slam.

The total prize pool has been increased by 16 percent to AUD 111.5 million, which is around USD 75 million. Both the men’s and women’s singles champions will earn AUD 4.15 million each, a significant jump from last year. This increase reflects the tournament’s push to reward top-level performance equally.

Even players who exit early will benefit from the hike. First-round losers in the main draw will receive AUD 150,000, while players knocked out in the opening round of qualifying will still take home AUD 40,500. The move ensures financial support is spread across the entire field.

Tennis Australia Emphasises Support for Players at Every Level

Tournament director Craig Tiley said the changes underline Tennis Australia’s long-term vision for the sport. "From boosting qualifying prize money by 55 percent since 2023 to enhancing player benefits, we're ensuring professional tennis is sustainable for all competitors," he said.

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Tiley also stressed the importance of building depth in the game rather than focusing only on elite players. "By supporting players at all levels, we're building deeper talent pools and more compelling storylines for fans."

The Australian Open will begin on January 18 at Melbourne Park. The defending champions, Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys, are expected back to defend their titles, as the tournament is expected to witness some great tennis.