Sachin Tendulkar hails Carlos Alcaraz after Australian Open triumph

Sachin Tendulkar congratulated Carlos Alcaraz after his Australian Open 2026 victory over Novak Djokovic. The 22-year-old Spaniard became the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam, joining tennis greats Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, while earning his seventh Grand Slam singles crown

New Delhi: Former India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar lauded Australian Open 2026 champion Carlos Alcaraz’s “patience and composure” after he defeated Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 to claim his first title at the season’s opening Grand Slam tournament.

Alcaraz made tennis history on Sunday, winning his maiden Australian Open men’s singles crown and in the process becoming the youngest professional tennis player to achieve a career Grand Slam.

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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 @carlosalcaraz! What a valiant effort from @DjokerNole as well!” posted Sachin Tendulkar on social media.

By inflicting a first defeat on Djokovic in 11 Australian Open finals, the 22-year-old Alcaraz became the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam, achieved by lifting the trophy at all four majors in the open era.

Alcaraz is now a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, level with fellow ATP No 1 club members John McEnroe and Mats Wilander on the all-time list. The Spaniard’s Melbourne victory continued the stranglehold that he and rival Jannik Sinner have had on the majors in recent years: the pair have won the past nine Grand Slam titles between them, dating back to Djokovic’s triumph at the 2023 US Open. Sinner lost to Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open semifinals.

The Spaniard became the eighth player to complete a career Grand Slam, joining Fred Perry (1935), Don Budge (1938), Rod Laver (1962), Roy Emerson (1964), Andre Agassi (1999), Roger Federer (2009), Rafael Nadal (2010) and Djokovic (2015). Of these, Budge and Laver bagged the Grand Slam in a calendar year.