At the 2026 Australian Open, Novak Djokovic sparked laughs after joking that Carlos Alcaraz’s revised serve resembled his own so closely it might deserve a copyright claim. Fresh off a dominant first-round straight-sets win over Pedro Martinez, Djokovic humorously said he had already contacted Alcaraz and even joked about claiming a percentage of any aces served.
Alcaraz, entering the tournament as a favorite to complete the career Grand Slam at 22, laughed off the comparison, saying his serve tweaks come from hours of practice and analysis, not an attempt to copy Djokovic. The Spaniard’s adjustments — including smoother toss, rhythmic motion, and better balance — have drawn attention from fans and analysts, leading to viral clips online.
Djokovic’s Melbourne win marked his 100th Australian Open match victory, making him the first man to reach 100 wins at three different Grand Slams. Alcaraz also advanced comfortably in straight sets over Adam Walton. With both players on opposite halves of the draw, a potential blockbuster final looms, though Djokovic may face defending champion Jannik Sinner in the semifinals.
