History was on the line for both superstars in a highly anticipated final which ensured a rather underwhelming Australian Open ended with a flourish.
Following their gruelling semi-final victories on Friday, neither player trained on Saturday and left everyone wondering how they would pull up on Sunday.
Djokovic pointed out Alcaraz had the advantage in that regard – given he was 16 years younger – but the veteran made a mockery of the age difference in a blistering start.
Moving sharply, Djokovic used his superior tennis IQ to carefully construct points in a way which Alcaraz could not compute – similar to how he discombobulated the Spaniard in last year’s quarter-finals.
A locked-in Djokovic comfortably held serve thanks to the precision of his opening shot and accuracy of his groundstrokes, laying the platform to break Alcaraz for 3-1.
Continuing to take angles and space away from his opponent, Djokovic comfortably consolidated for a 4-1 lead and broke again to seal the opening set.
How long Djokovic could maintain this level was the next question.
A lot of emphasis had been placed on Djokovic’s good fortune over the fortnight, but his luck ran out in the third game of the second set when a remarkable net cord helped Alcaraz break.
The manner was brutal and, coming at 1-1 15-15, the timing was crucial in shifting momentum.
From that point, Djokovic’s serve lacked the same precision and his groundstrokes lacked the same punch.
Alcaraz won four of the next five games to level the match, keeping his foot on the pedal to break twice in the third set and lead.
Djokovic, though, is not a man to be beaten easily.
As he has shown countless times in his illustrious career, the veteran continued to believe he could defy the odds and turn the match around.
Djokovic fought off six break points in the second game of the fourth set, then created a chance of his own on Alcaraz’s serve in the ninth game.
Alcaraz kept his cool in a baseline duel with Djokovic finally pushing a forehand long – and it proved vital.
The exchanges continued to be intense as the set entered the business end, but Djokovic blinked first.
After being rocked by a deep Alcaraz return at 15-30, he clattered another forehand into the net on championship point.