The Australian Open final between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic is arguably the biggest final in Grand Slam history.
The Serb is on the hunt for a record-setting 25th Grand Slam, while Alcaraz could become the youngest player to achieve a Career Grand Slam.
Djokovic has been tipped to cause an Australian Open upset, despite Alcaraz starting the match as the favourite.
With so much on the line for both men in the Australian Open final, John McEnroe made a worrying claim ahead of the much-anticipated clash.
John McEnroe says the Australian Open should have closed the roof
The Australian weather has made headlines throughout the Grand Slam, with extreme heat hitting Melbourne over various days of the tournament.
The final, however, saw blustery winds, and many called for the roof to be closed on Rod Laver Arena ahead of the match.
Should Djokovic retire whatever happens in the Australian Open final and go out in a blaze of glory?
McEnroe, while on broadcasting duties ahead of the final, suggested the roof should be closed on Rod Laver.
“I would like to see it [the roof] closed, only because the level of play will go up. These winds are howling, so sometimes you’ve got to play a little safer when it’s windy. That could be a factor.”
23 miles per hour wind gusts were recorded at Melbourne Park before Alcaraz and Djokovic made their way onto the court.
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic make Open Era history
Djokovic and Alcaraz might have been set for one of the biggest Grand Slam finals ever, but they made history as soon as they hit the court.
The pair’s age gap of 15 years and 349 days is the largest in a Grand Slam final in the Open Era, according to OptaAce.
Who has impressed you most so far at the Australian Open?
Alcaraz, at 22 years old, is appearing in his seventh Grand Slam final, while Djokovic is playing his 36th major final.
The Spaniard has lost just one of his previous Grand Slam finals, to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon in 2025, while Djokovic has tasted defeat 12 times in majors.
Djokovic and Alcaraz’s final at the Australian Open is their third Grand Slam final meeting, following back-to-back Wimbledon finals in 2023 and 2024.
