It's a shame the camera pans to him the second he has to sneeze.
Bless you, legend.
Djokovic claims the first point
A big psychological advantage, Djokovic claims the first point in the game as he serves.
15-0.
Alcaraz stops a clean service game
Alcaraz puts a spanner in the works as he scores a belter of a point against Djokovic.
But ultimately Djokovic wins his service game 40-15.
1-0 Djokovic.
Alcaraz claims his service game too
Alcaraz serves a confident game only conceding one point to Djokovic.
Both look strong, it may be a day of tiebreakers.
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1-1.
Another efficient game from Djokovic
The Serb breezes through the third game with a serve that Alcaraz struggles to do much with.
2-1.
Djokovic vs Alcaraz: a history
Pre-match meeting (Image credit: Getty Images)
The two players have played each other nine times.
Djokovic has won five of those with Alcaraz claiming victory in four.
Will Alcaraz make it a tidy 5-5?
First double fault of the match
A sloppy double fault gives Djokovic a leg up to a break point.
It looks promising but Alcaraz brings it back to deuce.
Alcaraz is looking a bit weaker in this fourth game.
Djokovic breaks Alcaraz's service game!
A third opportunity for a break point presents itself to Djokovic...and he takes it!
The crowd in Melbourne seem to be on the Serbs side for once and cheer him on to his next service game.
3-1.
Djokovic secures another game
The momentum is certainly on Djokovic's side early on.
He's claimed another game and is looking dangerous. Alcaraz needs to step up to stand a chance in this first set.
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4-1.
Alcaraz fights for his service game
Alcaraz throws himself around the court (Image credit: Getty Images)
Alcaraz wins his service game but he's certainly working for it noticeably.
Despite having age against him, the Serb is putting up a hell of a fight.
4-2.
Another clean game for Novak
5-2 to Djokovic.
It's been a fast moving first set so far. Not a lot of deuce and not a lot of close games.
Djokovic scoring a breakpoint early on has given him a spring in his step and Alcaraz is looking nervous.
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Djokovic wins the first set in style!
Well, against all odds the Serb has won his first set.
Is this the way the matches will go or a strong opening as Alcaraz still warms up?
Considering by his own admission that Djokovic was on the way home before his quarter-final opponent had to retire, this is a remarkable turn of events.
1-0 in sets to Djokvovic.
Alcaraz pushes back on the opening game
Bringing it to deuce, Alcaraz appears to have had a good set break reset.
Will it last?
40-40.
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Winning his first game with a net shot
Djokovic deploys a killer net shot which Alcaraz can't do anything with.
A beautiful way to win the first game of set two.
1-0.
Nadal provides some great reactions
Every time the camera pans to Nadal he provides some comedy gold.
After that cheeky net shot Djokovic debuted, he gives a nod of approval.
He'll most likely be cheering on his fellow Spaniard but is giving his former rival his flowers.
Alacaraz wins his second game cleanly.
1-1.
Alcaraz breaks back!
Alcaraz is punching back!
The Spaniard shows why he's world number one with a sterling display against Djokovic's service game.
The crowd feels like it's with Alcaraz now as he delivers a beautiful deuce comback as he looked shaky on his serve.
Djokovic needs to break his opponent's serve soon if he wants to claim this set.
1-3.
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Djokovic slowing down but keeps his service game
Looking a bit agitated, Djokovic manages to keep his service set after a cheeky point from Alcaraz that deflected off the net.
A point's a point though, so he'll take it.
2-3.
Alcaraz on the verge of a set win!
Well, well, well. The Spaniard reverses the momentum of the game and breaks another game inching closer to that set win.
Will we see this go to five sets?
2-5.
The Spaniard secures second set!
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Ladies and gentlemen, we have ourselves a competition.
Strap in, at this rate it may go to five sets. Will Alcaraz carry this momentum or will it be alternating set wins between the two?
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1-1 in sets.
Alcaraz not a happy bunny
It's one of the more boring aspects of tennis: hearing all the discourse about opening or closing the stadium roof.
They have partially closed the roof and Alcaraz had a fairly animated conversation with the umpire about why it was being closed, a question the umpire doesn't seem to know either.
If this has any affect on the game is anyone's guess.
Alcaraz makes Djokovic work for his serve
Some much closer games now.
The margins are getting closer, particularly as the Spaniard makes his opponent earn his service games.
A strong start to set three.
1-0.
A clean game win for Alacaraz
He's looking strong. Alcaraz is dominating and making it look easy.
Some incredible rallies between the Spaniard and the Serb.
Circus shots and long rallies, the crowd is certainly getting their money's worth.
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Nadal's nod
We're again treated to another shot of Nadal.
The older generation of Spanish tennis player gives a nod of approval to the younger generation of Spanish tennis player.
He's playing some incredible shots, and looks set to break Djokovic's game again.
Another break!
It wasn't a fluke: Alcaraz is dominating now.
Djokovic looks tired as he recovers after losing that important game.
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2-3.
Djokovic saves face with a game win
Thankfully for him, Djokovic manages to hold on to his serving game even with some tennis athletics from Alcaraz.
He doesn't look happy and imagine he'll be having some tense words with his team in the break.
3-4.
Just one more game to win set three for Alcaraz
Djokovic noticeably holding his legs during parts of the last game, must be struggling after five sets at his age only two days ago.
But Alcaraz has won his serve and is leading on 5-3.
A pivotal next few games!
Alcaraz claims his second set!
The Spaniard roars in victory.
Vamos!
Having let three breakpoints come and go, Alcaraz took it to a deuce for a good 10 minutes before claiming his second set of the match.
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Some sloppy shots from the Serb
(Image credit: Getty Images)
It's clear that Djokovic is definitely the underdog.
We knew that coming in to the final with his two lucky walkovers and his age acting against him, but after a strong first set there was a glimmer of hope.
However, he's playing a lot of unforced errors and allowing himself to be put in some compromising positions.
He avoided multiple break points in his first serving game and after 10 minutes managed to keep his game but he's struggling.
1-1.
Another game under Alcaraz's belt
While he'll be disappointed he didn't break the Serb's last game, the Spaniard is nothing if not consistent.
Having relaxed into his game, it really is Alcaraz's to lose.
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1-2.
History repeating itself?
If Alcaraz wins tonight, he would join fellow Spaniard Nadal and other tennis legend Federer in the history books who also achieved their first AO win at 22-years-old.
A perfect statistic waiting to happen and looking more likely by the second.
2-3.
First tiebreaker set?
With both players refusing to lose their serving games, we could see a tiebreaker for the first time this match.
This would be a potential lifeline for Djokovic and a win could change the trajectory of the whole match. See what happened with Sinner for proof of his ability to play the long game.
Alcaraz will want to close this down ASAP and break his serve in this game to avoid this flip of the coin.
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3-4.
Djokovic may have won the crowd
(Image credit: Getty Images)
For a man who notoriously manages to alienate the crowd - whether it be his on-court or off-court antics - he has manages to win over Rod Laver tonight.
Whether it's because he's the last standing player of the golden generation of tennis - Federer, Nadal, him and we're being generous Murray too - or because he could reach a record-breaking 25 grand slams or because he's the underdog, he's doing something right.
However, as Alcaraz defends his serving game, it brings him one game away from victory.
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4-5.
Djokovic holds off Alacaraz...for now
A victory for Djokovic as he holds back the Spaniard, but a victory for the latter feels inevitable.
Will it be a tiebreaker?
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5-5.
The ball's in Djokovic's court (literally)
Djokovic serves now.
If he wins: tiebreaker
If he loses: Alcaraz victory.
Very tense.
5-6.
Pivotal point!
Djokovic serves, Alcaraz needs this point to win.
Alcaraz wins his first AO!
And it's over: Alcaraz wins the AO men's final 2026!
He falls to the floor, overcome with emotions as he can tick off his final grand slam at 22-years-old.
An incredible achievement and richly deserved.
That famous smile comes out in full force
Alcaraz - AO men's final winner 2026 (Image credit: Getty Images)
A joyful player with a joyful smile, Alcaraz is beaming as he bathes in the glory of a full grand slam set thanks to his AO win.
He won't be able to wipe that smile off his face for a long time.
History is made!
Carlos Alcaraz.
Remember the name because he has now becomes the youngest man in history to complete the career Grand Slam at 22-years-old.
What did you do when you were 22?
Djokovic takes the stage
The Serb takes the stage and humbly thanks first and foremost Carlos Alcaraz, he jokes that the Spaniard may get to his ripe old age and still be playing if he's lucky.
He gives a lovely shoutout to Nadal in the stands and thanks him for watching. I'm sure he was there for Alcaraz but it's still a nice. moment
It's moments like this you realise that he's a very witty and charismatic speaker - when he wants to be - and he can win over a crowd very easily.
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Carlos Alcaraz lifts the trophy
Visibly overwhelmed and a lot more shy on the stage than the runner up, Carlos gives a shout out to Djokovic and a tender high five.
It's easy to forget - or maybe hard to because it's brought up every other sentence when people talk about him - but he is just 22-years-old and on a world stage.
He's achieved an incredible feat that will stand for a long time - considering that Sinner is already 24 and has not won the French Open yet so is not eligible to beat it.
Well done, Carlos.
In pictures: Djokovic takes second place
Djokovic accepts second place begrudgingly (Image credit: Getty Images)
In pictures: the AO trophy alludes Alcaraz no more
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Adiós, folks!
(Image credit: Getty Images)
And that's all folks! Thanks so much for following my coverage over the last four hours, it was a rollercoaster with some incredible tennis all round.
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Otherwise, I've been Dan and I'll talk to you next time!
Adiós!
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