Australian Open final chaos as Carlos Alcaraz stunned over bizarre incident in Novak Djokovic clash

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 01/02/2026

- 10:04

Updated: 01/02/2026

- 10:16

The world No 1 wasn't happy after winning the second set

There were bizarre scenes in the final of the Australian Open on Sunday morning, with Carlos Alcaraz unhappy with a decision regarding the roof.

The Spaniard had just drawn level with Novak Djokovic, having won the second set after losing the first, when the incident took place.


With rain expected, the roof was closed. However, instead of the full way, it was still left slightly open in the middle.

Alcaraz was utterly perplexed, with the tennis star moaning to the umpire and confronting officials.

The 22-year-old, who is looking to become the youngest male player in history to achieve the career Grand Slam, wanted it to stay open because the weather hadn't yet taken a turn for the worse.

Reacting on commentary for the BBC, former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash believed Alcaraz had every right to be unhappy.

"I agree with Carlos - if it's not raining, open it. Carlos is very upset about it," he said.

Tim Henman, commentating for TNT Sports, was equally bemused.

"If it's going to rain, why have they closed it so significantly?" he said.

In the aftermath of the incident, Australian Open chief Craig Tiley was seen on his walkie-talkie. However, the roof remained slightly open and the third set commenced as normal.

Carlos Alcaraz Australian Open

Carlos Alcaraz moans to the umpire during Sunday's Australian Open final showdown with Novak Djokovic

|

GETTY

Djokovic started the better of the two men at the Rod Laver Arena.

The Serb, on a high after his pulsating victory over Jannik Sinner in Friday's semi-final clash, secured the first break of the match in the fourth game.

The 38-year-old, who is bidding to move ahead of Margaret Court with 25 Grand Slam titles, proceeded to claim the first set to take control.

Yet Alcaraz, as the world No 1, is made of strong stuff.

He was able to bounce back in the second set, restoring parity with a break of his own after Djokovic sliced a backhand wide.

Meanwhile, speaking before the final, Rafael Nadal backed Alcaraz to beat Djokovic.

The tennis legend, who is attending today's showpiece event, said: "I have a good relationship with him [Alcaraz], we competed in the Olympics together, we were both in the Spanish team.

"If Novak wins, I’ll be happy for him because, in a way, what he’s doing is spectacular. It wouldn’t be a tragedy for me, but if I have to support someone, I feel I have to support Carlos."

Reflecting on Alcaraz's epic win over Alexander Zverev on Friday, he continued: "There was drama because of what happened to Carlos in the third set and then, as is normal in these situations, the cramps, if you manage to hold on for a while, usually pass - they are sometimes tension cramps.

"In the end, the game had everything it needs to get people involved, to generate emotions in our sport and in the people who are watching it.

"I’m sure [Alcaraz] will recover, even though it was a long battle, the other semi-final wasn’t short either, and it was against a player of a different age, so I think Carlos has an even better chance of recovering than Novak."