Carlos Alcaraz, at 22-years-old, is now the youngest man to win all four major titles in tennis, after earning his first Australian Open trophy to complete a Career Grand Slam.

The top-ranked Spaniard dropped the first set of Sunday's championship contest in Melbourne in 33 minutes, as Serbia's Novak Djokovic started quickly in pursuit of an unprecedented 25th major title. The World No. 1 dug deep, however, and battled back to prevail 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5.

"Means the world to me," Alcaraz said. "It is a dream come true for me."

Djokovic had won all 10 of his previous title matches at Melbourne Park and, despite being the oldest finalist in tournament history at 38, gave himself a strong chance to extend that streak to 11 after moving two sets from victory.

Alcaraz rose to the challenge.

"Tennis can change on just one point. One point, one feeling, one shot can change the whole match completely," he said. "I played well the first set, but you know, in front of me I had a great and inspired Novak, who was playing great, great shots."

A couple of unforced errors from Djokovic early in the second set gave Alcaraz the necessary confidence.

He scrambled to retrieve shots that usually would be winners for Djokovic, keeping up intense pressure on the most decorated player in men's tennis history. There were extended rallies in which each player landed enough brilliant shots to close out games, only to see those battles prolonged instead.

Djokovic has made an art form of fighting back from precarious positions. Despite trailing two sets to one, he came within a ball-width of turning the final around in the fourth set's ninth game.

After fending off six break points in the frame, he exhorted the crowd after getting to 30-30. The fans responded with chants of "Nolé, Nolé, Nolé!"

When Djokovic earned a break point chance – his first since the second set – he whipped up his supporters again. But the Serbian sent a forehand long on the next point, which gave Alcaraz a reprieve.

A short forehand winner – a mis-hit from the Spaniard – clipped the net and landed inside the line to give him game point. Djokovic then smacked another forehand long.

The top seed responded with a roar, before sealing his victory by claiming two of the next three games.

As he was leaving the court, Alcaraz signed the lens of the television camera: "Job finished. 4/4 Complete."