MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — In a gripping Australian Open final, Novak Djokovic came within two sets of achieving a record 25th Grand Slam title but ultimately fell to 22-year-old Carlos Alcaraz. The match, held on Sunday night, marked a historic moment that saw Djokovic, who has claimed 24 Grand Slam titles, suffer his first final loss at Melbourne Park, a venue where he had previously celebrated victory ten times.

Reflecting on his performance, Djokovic expressed a mix of disappointment and professionalism. “You’re speaking to me 10 minutes after I lost the final, so of course I’m going to be a little bit bitter about losing,” he stated in his post-match press conference. He acknowledged the significance of losing to Alcaraz, the world number one, describing him as a “legendary player.” This sentiment was echoed throughout the match, where both competitors were vying for historical accolades.

Djokovic's journey to the final was far from straightforward. Following a challenging period where he faced several semifinal defeats at Grand Slam tournaments, he managed to secure his spot in the final after a hard-fought victory over two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner. That semifinal triumph marked a significant step in his pursuit of that elusive 25th title. Though he managed to win a set against Alcaraz, he was unable to capitalize on his early advantage, failing to recover fully from the intense semifinal which concluded in the early hours of Saturday.

In assessing his performance, Djokovic acknowledged the caliber of his younger opponents, stating, “I knew that I’d probably have to beat two of them on the way to the title. I beat one, which is great, so it’s a step more further than I have gone in Grand Slams than last year. Very nice, encouraging.” However, he remained unsatisfied, vowing to continue pushing towards future opportunities for victory.

The 38-year-old described his lowered expectations leading up to the tournament, admitting that he felt Alcaraz and Sinner were operating at a higher level than others. Despite acknowledging his competitors' prowess, Djokovic maintained confidence in his ability to challenge and triumph over anyone on his best day. A mix of favorable circumstances aided his progress to the final, including a walkover in the fourth round and a fortunate turn of events in the quarterfinals, where he benefited from Lorenzo Musetti's retirement due to injury.

In the aftermath of the final, the considerable age gap between Djokovic and 22-year-old Alcaraz became apparent, especially given the short recovery time between their matches. Djokovic mentioned the intensity of his semifinal match against Sinner, which tested his stamina against a younger competitor. He expressed disappointment over the way he performed during the second and third sets against Alcaraz, despite a promising start. “It’s incredible achievement for me to be able to play finals, be a couple of sets away maybe to win a championship,” Djokovic reflected.

On the flip side, Alcaraz praised facing Djokovic, describing it as akin to a “master class.” He expressed admiration for Djokovic’s ability to defy his critics regarding age and performance, stating, “It’s unbelievable what he’s doing. If he maintains this level of tennis during the whole season, he’s going to win great things.” Alcaraz suggested Djokovic's prospects depend largely on his physical fitness and the demands of upcoming tournaments.

As the dust settles after this monumental clash at the Australian Open, both players have set the stage for an exciting season ahead, with Djokovic vowing to continue his pursuit of greatness against a backdrop of emerging talent.