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Novak Djokovic breaks two-year curse after Australian Open final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz
Reach Daily Express | February 3, 2026 9:39 PM CST

Novak Djokovic has risen to third in the latest ATP rankings after his run to this year's Australian Open final. The former world No.1 is back inside the top three for the first time since August 2024.

The 38-year-old won plenty of admirers after becoming the oldest man in Open Era history to reach an Aussie Open final. Djokovic's run Down Under saw him take out two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner in a thrilling five-set semi-final battle.

The Serb was looking to win a first Grand Slam title since lifting the 2023 US Open. He was also seeking to become the oldest male player in the Open Era to win a Major.

But Carlos Alcaraz, 22, proved strong on Rod Laver Arena - beating Djokovic in four sets on Sunday to become the youngest man to win the Career Grand Slam. Alcaraz has now won seven slams in total - the same number as icons John McEnroe and Mats Wilander.

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Alcaraz's victory at Melbourne Park also denied Djokovic the opportunity to secure an outright record 25th Grand Slam title. And the veteran Serb raised uncertainty in the post-match ceremony over whether he will be back in Australia again as an active tennis player.

He said: "I want to keep it short as this is Carlos' moment. You guys (the fans) gave me something, particularly the last couple of matches, with the love and support.

"I try to give you back with good tennis over the years. This I think was my 21st year coming to Australia. I always believe in myself which is something that is truly needed when you play against incredible players like I have the last few days.

"I didn't think I would be standing at the closing ceremony of a Grand Slam again. God knows what happens tomorrow, let alone six or 12 months. It has been a great ride. I love you guys."

Djokovic's next shot at winning a Slam will be at the French Open in May. The three-time former champion last lifted the title in Paris three years ago.

Alcaraz, meanwhile, is on his way to a Calendar Slam (winning all four Majors in the same year) after his victory in Oz. No one has achieved that feat in singles since Steffi Graf in 1988, where she also won a Golden Slam by winning an Olympic gold medal in Seoul.

Both Alcaraz and Djokovic are next scheduled to play at the Qatar Open, which begins on February 16. The ATP 500 tournament in Doha is also set to feature Sinner and Daniil Medvedev among several other big stars.


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