Tennis has crowned a new king, with Carlos Alcaraz out-duelling living legend Novak Djokovic in the pair's heavyweight Australian Open title match to become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam.
The world No. 1 rallied from a set down to deny Djokovic an unprecedented 25th major singles triumph with a rousing 2-6 6-2 6-3 7-5 victory on Rod Laver Arena on Sunday night.
In inflicting a first defeat on Djokovic in 11 finals at Melbourne Park, Alcaraz added a maiden Australian Open title to his two trophies each from the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.
The Spanish sensation joins Don Budge, Fred Perry, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Djokovic as the ninth man to win all four of the sport's annual majors.
And at just 22 years and 272 days old, he is the youngest to achieve the rare feat.
Budge, an American, was 91 days older when he completed the full set at the 1938 French Open.
Alcaraz has now won seven slams — surpassing stars including Stefan Edberg and Boris Becker and drawing level with fellow all-time greats John McEnroe, John Newcombe and Mats Wilander — in just 20 major appearances.
'It feels crazy'
Fittingly, Nadal enjoyed a front-row view as Mark Edmondson, on the 50th anniversary of his 1976 Open triumph, presented the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup to his countryman.
"It's a little bit weird seeing Rafael in the stands. It's the first time, I think, if I'm not wrong," Alcaraz said.
"You were watching me when I was like 15, 14 years old, so it's been a long time but, yeah, it's such an honour playing in front of you.
"It feels a dream come true. I dreamt about getting the Australian Open to complete the career Grand Slam, so I'm lost now. I don't even know what what to say.
"But it feels crazy, to be honest."
Alcaraz also paid tribute to his vanquished opponent, hailing Djokovic as an "inspiration".
"He deserves an ovation, for sure," the champion said. "For doing the amazing things he's doing."
Djokovic, though, accepted the night belonged to Alcaraz.
"What you've been doing, I think the best word to describe it is historic, legendary," he said.
With both coming off epic, marathon semi-final victories on Friday night, intrigue surrounded how the two gladiators would shape up physically for the blockbuster final.
At 38 years and 255 days, Djokovic had been bidding to become the oldest player in the open era stretching back to 1968 to win a grand slam men's singles title.
Instead the former world No.1 suffered his first final loss on his RLA battleground.
Having also won last year's French and US Open titles, Alcaraz now holds three of the four grand slam trophies.
And, continuing their domination, Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner join Djokovic and Nadal as only the second pair ever to share nine consecutive grand slam titles.
Only Nadal and Federer, with 11 straight slams between 2005 and 2007, have enjoyed a longer stranglehold on the men's majors.
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