Australian Open men's final predictions: Alcaraz can outlast determined Djokovic

Australian Open men's final date, start time & TV info 

Date Sunday, February 1
Starts 8.30am Sunday
Venue Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park, Melbourne
TV TNT Sports & Discovery+

Australian Open men's final betting tips & predictions

Carlos Alcaraz to win & both players to win a set
1pt 6-4 BoyleSports

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Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic odds

Here are bet365's odds for the Australian Open men's final:

Odds correct at time of publishing

Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic preview

The men’s Australian Open semi-finals offered hope that this season won’t just revolve around Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, and the most decorated male player in history, Novak Djokovic, is the last one standing in a bid to end their recent spell of dominance.

The best two players in the world were long odds-on to set up a fourth straight Grand Slam final meeting but, while Alcaraz dug himself out of a hole against Alexander Zverev, back-to-back champion Sinner was left in a pool of pity by the heroics of defiant Djokovic.

Alcaraz appeared to be in cruise control as he led Zverev by two sets, only to be forced to a fifth set and becoming desperate for a break as the German served for the match.

Sinner was unable to follow in Alcaraz’s footsteps as he was on the wrong side of a five-set thriller, relinquishing a 2-1 lead, leaving Djokovic with a shot at an 11th Australian Open title.

One way or another, history will be rewritten as world number one Alcaraz targets the career Grand Slam at just 22, while 38-year-old Djokovic goes on the hunt for a 25th Major crown.

Many will be expecting youth to oust experience on the Rod Laver Arena, and top seed Alcaraz can land his first Australian Open title to add to his haul of six Grand Slam victories.

Djokovic is seeking a first Grand Slam success since his 2023 US Open triumph and showed against Sinner what he is still capable of when not enfeebled by injury.

However, on the back of that four-hour marathon with Sinner, it is tough to see how the 38-year-old can defy his advancing age to go to war for a second time against the other leading force on the ATP Tour.

Djokovic’s run to the final has been made much easier than it could have been as fourth-round rival Jakub Mensik was forced to withdraw, while quarter-final opponent Lorenzo Musetti won the first two sets before retiring hurt 3-1 down on the third.

That allowed the Serbian great to fight against Sinner but he lost in all four Grand Slam semi-finals last season and that mammoth performance must have left its mark.

Alcaraz was beaten in four sets in last season’s Australian Open quarter-final by Djokovic, but he got his revenge in the US Open semis, easing to a 6-4 7-6 6-2 victory.

The Spaniard needed a medical timeout for cramp in his semi-final duel with Zverev and his level can differ from one extreme to the other during matches, which should provide some moments of joy for Djokovic.

Both players have won a set in six of their ten meetings and, while ten-time Australian Open champion Djokovic has clearly found something deep from within, there is a reason that Alcaraz has won four of the last seven Grand Slams and accounted for his old rival in both major finals.

Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic Bet Builder tips

Carlos Alcaraz to win
5+ double faults in the match
20+ aces in the match
Over 0.5 tiebreaks in the match

Total odds: @ 16-5 with bet365

Australian Open FAQs

Where is the 2026 Australian Open?

The tournament is held at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia.

When does the men's final take place?

The Australian Open women's final takes place at 8.30am on Sunday, February 1.

Where can I watch the Australian Open in the UK?

TNT Sports and Discovery+ are the exclusive broadcasters for the Australian Open in the UK this year. 

Every match will be available to stream live on Discovery+, while TNT Sports will provide linear TV coverage.

Who is favourite for the Australian Open men's final?

Carlos Alcaraz is the 3-10 favourite in his bid to complete the career Grand Slam, with ten-time winner Novak Djokovic the 5-2 outsider.

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