Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz walk out into the Rod Laver Arena, to huge a ovation from the crowd. World No. 4 Djokovic, who has won 10 out of 10 finals in Melbourne, up against World No. 1 Alcaraz, playing in his first. The world awaits.

Alcaraz has won the toss, and he wants to receive!

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are now doing their final warmups inside. We are about to get underway at the Rod Laver Arena shortly. Djokovic doing some stretches and warmups, while Alcaraz was seen doing some jogging with headphones on.

In the match against Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz had to take medical time out due to what appeared to be groin injury. He later said that it was his right adductor. “So I didn't know exactly what it was because I just go around to a forehand and then I started to feel it just in the right adductor," he said after the semi-final. It isn't yet known if the Spaniard has fully recovered from the injury. 

Novak Djokovic has his task cut out today. Alcaraz, at present, holds an extraordinary stat. He has never lost a Grand Slam final. If he wins today, he will move to 7-0 in major finals.

This would extend his record for the most Grand Slam finals played without a single loss in the Open Era. But, against him stands the man to have won most majors in the men's category. 

We are less than 30 minutes away from the start of the Australian Open 2026 men's singles final between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. Two men chasing history in two very different ways. Arguably the face in tennis of their respective generations, the two now collide in a monumental clash.

A victory against Novak Djokovic would be the ultimate coronation for the 22-year-old Carlos Alcaraz. By winning the Australian Open, he would complete the set of all four major titles (Wimbledon, US Open, French Open, and Australian Open). He would also become the youngest to do so, beating the record of his compatriot Rafael Nadal, who had done so at the age of 24.

If Novak Djokovic manages to outlast Carlos Alcaraz in the final today, it would be his 11th victory in Melbourne and 25th Major. The overall Grand Slam tally of 25 titles would make him the sole record holder for the most Grand Slam singles titles in the history of tennis (men or women). At present, he is tied with Margaret Court on 24 titles. 

The Djokovic vs Alcaraz rivalry has been incredibly tight over the last two seasons, with the momentum swinging based on the surface and the stakes. Here's a look at their last three encounters:

2025 US Open (Semi-final): Alcaraz won 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-2

It was Alcaraz's first-ever win against Djokovic on a hard court.

2025 Australian Open (Quarter-final): Djokovic won 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4

Djokovic overcame a first-set deficit and a minor thigh injury to win in four.

2024 Paris Olympics (Gold Medal Match): Djokovic won 7-6(3), 7-6(2)

An emotional victory for Djokovic on clay, securing his first ever Olympic Gold.

There isn't a lot separating Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz ahead of the Australian Open 2026 men's singles final. But, the Serbian does have a slight statistical edge but when it comes to Grand Slams, the Spaniard leads. 

Djokovic currently holds a narrow lead in their professional rivalry.

Overall H2H: Djokovic leads 5–4

Grand Slam H2H: Alcaraz leads 3–2

Finals H2H: Tied 2–2

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Australian Open 2026 men's singles final at Melbourne Court. 16 years of age gap separates Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz but there's no way to pick a favourite as the two stalwarts of the game square off in Melbourne. Both await coronation through different sets of milestones in the 'Battle of Generations'.