Australian Open 2026 men’s final: Why Novak Djokovic needs a Melbourne win more than Carlos Alcaraz

Who wins Sunday’s Australian Open men’s singles final between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz will make history.

Djokovic, 38, is stuck on 24 Grand Slam titles since September 2023 – and another success would take him off Margaret Court’s record of most major singles titles.

One of the young players who stopped Djokovic was 22-year-old Alcaraz.

The Spaniard has already lifted six major titles – and a win in Melbourne would secure a maiden Australian Open title and make him the youngest man to win all four major slams.

Unlike Alcaraz, Djokovic does not have enough time.

That’s why this final looks so crucial for Djokovic – and it could provide the fuel to lead him to glory.

At the start of the season-opening Grand Slam tournament, Djokovic insisted he did not feel this fortnight had been a “make or break” for his ambition of reaching the magic number of 25.

It looked like Djokovic was trying to take the pressure off himself, and that continued into Sunday’s match.

In response to a question about its importance in the context of his career, Djokovic said: “A Grand Slam final, there is a lot at stake. But it is no different from any other big match I play.”

Only Djokovic knows if he really believes that.

However, there is no doubt that the more time passes, the less likely he is to win the elusive 25th title he so desperately craves.