Djokovic and Alcaraz will contest the Australian Open final with major history at stake for both players...

History will be at stake when Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz face off in Sunday’s Australian Open men’s final, with both players eyeing landmark achievements in Melbourne.

Sixteen years separate the two finalists, but each arrives with a major piece of tennis history within reach.

Djokovic, 38, is targeting a record-extending 11th Australian Open title and a 25th Grand Slam crown.

Success would see him move past Margaret Court’s long-standing major record and become the oldest man to lift the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup.

For Alcaraz, 22, the final represents a chance to complete a career Grand Slam.

Already a six-time major winner, the Spaniard is bidding to become the youngest man to win all four Grand Slam titles, breaking the benchmark previously set by Rafael Nadal at 24.

“For me, I think also obviously for Carlos because of his age and everything that he was able to achieve so far, history is on the line for both of us every time we play,” Djokovic said.

“The finals of a Grand Slam, you know, there’s a lot at stake, but it’s no different from any other big match that I play.”

Both players were pushed to their limits in marathon semi-finals. Djokovic edged past two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner in a gripping five-set battle lasting four hours and nine minutes, saving 16 of 18 break points to record his first win over the world number two in six meetings.

CBI News reports that Alcaraz endured an even longer test, surviving five hours and 27 minutes against Alexander Zverev in the longest semi-final in Australian Open history.

The Spaniard battled cramp and rallied from a 5-3 deficit in the deciding set to reach the final.

With recovery now crucial, Djokovic opted to skip training on Saturday to conserve energy, while Alcaraz continues to monitor his physical condition following the punishing encounter.

The Serbian is contesting his first Grand Slam final since Wimbledon 2024 and has not won a major since the 2023 US Open, a period dominated by Alcaraz and Sinner.

Despite doubts surrounding his form, Djokovic said his belief never wavered.

“I never stopped doubting. I never stopped believing in myself,” he said.

“There’s a lot of people that doubt me… that wanted to retire me many times the last couple of years.

“I want to thank them all because they gave me strength. They gave me motivation to prove them wrong.

“For me, it’s not a surprise, to be honest. I know what I’m capable of.”

Djokovic leads their head-to-head rivalry 5-4. Alcaraz won their most recent meeting at last year’s US Open, while Djokovic claimed a four-set victory when they met at the Australian Open in 2025.

“He looks 25 years old physically, so to maintain that level at 38, it’s impressive,” Alcaraz said.

“I just hate giving up,” he added after his comeback win over Zverev.

Alcaraz has made no secret of his priority for the season, saying, “I would choose this one. I’d rather win this one than the other three and complete the Grand Slam and be the youngest ever to do it.”

Regardless of the final result, Alcaraz will remain world number one, with Sinner second. Djokovic is set to climb to third in the rankings, moving ahead of Zverev.