Welcome to This Week in Tennis, where we catch up on all the latest and biggest stories from the ATP and WTA Tours.
Alcaraz Makes History in Melbourne
Carlos Alcaraz made history on Sunday morning, defeating Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 to win his first Australian Open title and complete the career Grand Slam.
At 22 years, 272 days, Alcaraz is the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam, passing Rod Laver (24 years, 32 days). The Spaniard joins Laver, Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Andre Agassi as the only other men in the Open Era to achieve the feat.
“I think nobody knows how hard I have been working to get this trophy. I chased this moment so much,” Alcaraz said after the match.
Alcaraz improved to 7-1 in Grand Slam finals with his only loss coming to rival Jannik Sinner in the 2025 Wimbledon final. He has won every other major tournament twice, including Roland-Garros and the US Open last season. Alcaraz and Sinner have now combined to win the past nine major titles, dating back to Djokovic’s US Open win in 2023.
Djokovic, 38, was trying to win his 25th Grand Slam title on Sunday and would have become the oldest men’s major winner in the Open Era if he could have overcome the world No. 1.
“Congratulations, Carlos. An amazing tournament, an amazing couple of weeks. What you have been doing, I think the best words to describe it are historic, legendary,” said Djokovic.
Read also: Mboko Makes Impression in Australian Open Debut
Rybakina Rallies to beat Sabalenka
Elena Rybakina beat top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 on Saturday to win her first Australian Open title.
It is Rybakina’s first Grand Slam since claiming Wimbledon in 2022.
“I always believed that I can come back to the level I was,” Rybakina said following the match. “Of course, we all have ups and downs. I thought…maybe I will never be again in the final or even get a trophy, but it's all about the work.”
Sabalenka appeared to be well on her way to a third Australian Open title, as she led 3-0 in the third set, but Rybakina found her stride and rallied to win five straight games, taking back control of the set and the match.
Rybakina earned a measure of revenge in Melbourne after losing to Sabalenka in the final in 2023. The 26-year-old vaults up the rankings to tie her previous career-high of No. 3. Dating back to last season, Rybakina is on a 20-1 run, including winning the WTA Finals in November.
Sabalenka will retain the No. 1 seed despite falling to 4-4 in Grand Slam finals.
All Winners This Week:
Australian Open
- Men’s Singles: Carlos Alcaraz (1/25)* d. Novak Djokovic
- Women’s Singles: Elena Rybakina (1/12)* d. Aryna Sabalenka
- Men’s Doubles: Christian Harrison and Neal Skupski d. Jason Kubler and Marc Polmana
- Women’s Doubles: Elise Mertens and Shuai Zhang d. Aleksandra Krunic and Anna Danilina
* 2026 Titles/Career Titles
Read also: Celebrating Milos Raonic’s Groundbreaking Career
The WTA's best return to Toronto next summer for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers Aug 1 to 13 at Sobeys Stadium. Get your tickets today!
The ATP's best return to Montreal next summer for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers Aug 1 to 13 at IGA Stadium. Get your tickets today!
Feature Photo: Australian Open
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