Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic go head-to-head in the final of the Australian Open on Sunday, February 1.
Alcaraz can complete the career Grand Slam with a victory, while Djokovic could win major No. 25 at age 38. This match will tentatively start at 3:30 a.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN.
Find my Australian Open final preview and an Alcaraz vs. Djokovic prediction for Sunday below.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic Player Prediction
- Alcaraz vs Djokovic Picks: Alcaraz -2.5 Alt Game Handicap | Alcaraz to Hit More Aces
My Alcaraz vs Djokovic best bet is on Alcaraz to cover the alternative game handicap and hit more aces than Djokovic. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live Australian Open odds page.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic Odds
| Carlos Alcaraz Odds | -320 |
| Novak Djokovic Odds | +254 |
| Spread | Alcaraz -5.5 |
| Over/Under | 37.5 (-115o / -115u) |
| Alcaraz-Djokovic H2H | 5-4 |
| Time | How to Watch | Sunday, 3:30 a.m. ET | ESPN, ESPN+ |
| Odds via DraftKings | |
Alcaraz vs Djokovic Preview, Prediction
by Tudor Cosma
Carlos Alcaraz Betting Preview
Alcaraz, the 22-year-old world No. 1, stands on the precipice of history. A victory would make him the youngest player ever to complete the Career Grand Slam — a record that, given his age, may never be broken.
He's made this trophy his primary goal since the offseason, and that hunger was palpable in his semifinal against Alexander Zverev.
In what will be remembered as one of the matches of the decade, Alcaraz outlasted Zverev in five hours and 27 minutes — the third-longest match in tournament history. The drama was absolute: After leading 2-0, Alcaraz suffered severe cramping in both legs, visibly hampering his movement as he dropped the next two sets.
Despite the controversy surrounding a medical timeout for cramps (typically not permitted), he utilized fluids and recovery tactics to stage a miraculous comeback. By the fifth set, he regained his elite rhythm, proving once again that he's currently the best "fifth-set player" in the world.
The primary question in the final is his physical recovery. While the immediate pain of the cramps may have subsided, muscle sensitivity remains a factor.
Alcaraz already holds the record as the youngest world No. 1 and currently has six Grand Slam titles (two Roland Garros, two Wimbledon, two US Open).
His spectacular, "smiling" brand of tennis has made him a global icon and the natural successor to Rafael Nadal.
His serve and return are now among the most efficient on tour, and his low center of gravity makes him a defensive wall from the baseline.
Novak Djokovic Betting Preview
Djokovic, at 38 years old, is also chasing destiny. A win would secure his 25th Grand Slam title — an all-time absolute record — and make him the oldest Grand Slam champion in the Open Era, surpassing Ken Rosewall.
Despite being 16 years older than Alcaraz, Djokovic continues to prove he belongs at the pinnacle of the sport.
Djokovic reached this final through a combination of veteran guile and a "blessed" draw. After receiving a walkover in the fourth round and a retirement from Lorenzo Musetti in the quarterfinals, he arrived at his semifinal against Jannik Sinner remarkably fresh.
In that match, he produced a masterclass in resilience, saving a staggering 16 of the 18 break points he faced to snap a five-match losing streak against the defending champion.
While he appeared to struggle for breath toward the end of the four-hour and 12-minute thriller, his mental fortitude remains the strongest in sporting history.
For Djokovic, winning the first set will be crucial, as sustained physical battle against a much younger Alcaraz over four-plus hours will be a monumental task.
His 2025 season was solid, reaching the semifinals of all four majors, and he enters this final with a perfect 10-0 record in previous Melbourne title matches.
Alcaraz vs Djokovic Predictions, Betting Analysis
Alcaraz is driven by the chance to complete the Career Grand Slam at just 22. His victory over Zverev was a testament to his heart and physical recovery power.
While Djokovic’s win over Sinner was legendary, he relied on saving an unsustainable number of break points (16/18).
Facing the two best players in the world in back-to-back matches is a Herculean task for a 38-year-old.
If Alcaraz's legs hold up, his superior coverage and baseline aggression should see him cover a 2.5-game handicap.
I have another bet as well.
Alcaraz has technically refined his serve to mirror Djokovic’s accuracy while maintaining higher velocity. This tournament, he's consistently out-aced high-level opponents when healthy.
In Djokovic’s semifinal, he was heavily out-aced by Sinner (12-26) and has shown a tendency to concede high ace counts to elite returners who pressure his second serve.
I expect Alcaraz to win the ace battle today.
Pick: Alcaraz -2.5 Alt Game Handicap | Alcaraz to Hit More Aces
