Australian Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic reacts after Carlos Alcaraz heartbreak

Novak Djokovic also dropped a retirement hint in his speech, admitting he doesn't know what awaits him over the next 12 months.

He said: "Good evening everyone. Thank you. First and foremost, congratulations Carlos, an amazing tournament, an amazing couple of weeks. To your coach, to your family, to your team, what you've been doing - the best word to describe it is historic.

"Legendary. I wish you the best of luck for the rest of your career. You're so young, you have a lot of time, like myself, so I'm sure we'll be seeing each other many more times in the next 10 years ...not.

"I want to just say in the end, you guys, particularly the last couple of matches, gave me something I've never experienced in Australia - that much love, support, positivity. It's been incredible.

"I tried to give you back with good tennis over the years. This has been my 21st year, maybe 22nd year, coming to Australia.

"Honestly I always believe in myself and that's something that is truly needed and necessary when you're playing at this level against incredible players like Carlos and Jannik [Sinner] the last three days.

"I must be very honest and say that I didn't think I would be standing in the closing ceremony of a Grand Slam once again. I owe you the gratitude for pushing me forward the last couple of weeks.

"God knows what happens tomorrow, let alone in six months or 12 months. So, it has been a great ride. I love you guys."

Carlos Alcaraz rewrote history as he became the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam. Aged 22, he's already won seven Major titles.

The Spaniard beat 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the final, while 22-time Major winner Rafael Nadal watched from the stands. And the new Aussie Open winner thanked them both in his victory speech.

"I just want to talk about Novak, I think he deserves an ovation for sure," he told Djokovic - who lost an Australian Open final for the very first time in his career. "Thank you very much for what you are doing because, as I said, it's really inspiring, it's really inspiring to me."

Turning his attention to Nadal, he added: "For me, as Djokovic said, it's a little bit weird seeing Rafa in the stands. I think it's the first time, if I'm not wrong - professionally. Because I know you were watching me when I was 15, 14 years old?

"To see you watching my matches. For me, it’s just a privilege. Thank you very much for being here."

Novak Djokovic has enjoyed countless battles with Rafael Nadal in Rod Laver Arena, including a historic final in 2012.

The Serbian superstar is still out here, but Nadal is now retired, and watched the whole match front and centre in the stands.

And the 38-year-old had a touching message for his rival during his runner-up speech.

"Then I want to speak to the legendary Rafa, who is in the stands. Just a few words. Obviously it feels very weird to see you there and not here but I just want to say it's been an honour to share the court with you and to have you watching the finals here it's first time to me and obviously a bit of a strange feeling for me but thank you for being present," Djokovic told his old foe.

Some thrilling rallies here as Djokovic earns himself a break point on Alcaraz's serve.

He lets out a big roar after anticipating the serve out wide.

You feel this break point has to go if he's to win this set.

But, as the cameras show one Serb praying in the crowd, Novak goes long with a frustrating miss. Deuce.

Alcaraz smiles because he knows that was a big moment. He hits a stunning looping forehand on an angle that makes it impossible for Novak to slide across in time.

And then he holds. The world No.1 is one game away - and the noise he lets out makes it clear he knows it.

Carlos Alcaraz is a set away from his seventh Major title, and his first at the Australian Open. At 22 years and 272 days on, it would make him the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam.

Novak Djokovic raised his level again in the third set after making some costly errors in the second. But Alcaraz was still better. Perhaps the turning point came at 1-2, when Djokovic chased down a ball and hit a backhand around the net post, sending it perfectly into the corner, but Alcaraz got to it and hit a winner into the open court.

The Spanish superstar touched his ear as the fans went wild. He broke a couple of games later, pushing Djokovic out wide on the forehand side and forcing an error.

As Djokovic served to stay in the set at 3-5, the errors crept back in, and he was suddenly down three set points. He saved the first with an overhead winner, then forced an error from the Alcaraz racket. An ace took it to deuce.

The Spaniard gave himself another opportunity with a dropshot that landed right on the line, but couldn’t get a return in play on the fourth set point.

But at the fifth time of asking, Alcaraz ripped a backhand return and Djokovic sent the ball wide to lose the set.

14 unforced errors for Djokovic in that set - worse than the second. But he's being more aggressive, he also had 11 winners.

Novak Djokovic has never been closer to a historic 25th Grand Slam title. He’s two sets away.

The only other time he’s played a Major final in search of a 25th, he suffered a straight-set defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 Wimbledon final.

Now facing the same opponent on Rod Laver Arena - the most successful court of his career - he’s come out swinging, taking the first set 6-2 in 33 minutes and breaking the Alcaraz serve twice.

The fans are on their feet. There are dozens of Serbian flags around the arena, and they're being waved proudly after that set.

The 38-year-old looks clinical and composed so far. Alcaraz has been exchanging words with his team and gesturing towards them in some moments.

Former British No.1 Greg Rusedski does not believe Novak Djokovic will retire if he beats Carlos Alcaraz to win Sunday's Australian Open final. The 38-year-old is looking to become the oldest man in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam singles title as he seeks a first major since the 2023 US Open.

Djokovic is already the oldest man in the Open Era to reach an Aussie Open final after stunning two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner in Friday's thrilling semi-final. The veteran Serb had lost his previous five meetings and nine sets to the world No. 2, but put on a vintage display to stun the Italian.

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