“No-le, No-le,” the bald fan with a beard began shouting. “No-le, No-le,” he continued, with gusto. As this marvel of a match hung in the balance, arguably the greatest player of all time had just saved two set points against the world No 1. The score was one set apiece, the match almost two hours old.

“No-le,” the fan continued. “No-le, No-le,” others joined in, until hundreds were in echo. This growing chorus may not have arrived at Melbourne Park on Sunday night in support of Novak Djokovic – he is a divisive character, after all – but they certainly did not want this historic night to end. “No-le, No-le,” as the Serb served an ace, landing neatly in the corner, and a roar went up.

This was a tennis time warp that logic should never have allowed. The third-largest age gap between players in modern men’s grand slam final history, at almost 16 years, was itself unusual. That the elder player was almost 39 made this spectacle remarkable. This was tennis of two timelines, converging under Melbourne Park’s open roof.

For both, oddly, it represented one last shot. Alcaraz was seeking to become the youngest man to secure the career grand slam. The 2027 tournament at Melbourne Park would come around too late, so this was his only chance to beat Don Budge’s 87-year-old mark. For Djokovic, the likelihood of reaching another major final was small and getting smaller, and here – at his favourite tournament – there would be no better opportunity.

So history hung thickly in the air. It also sat neatly in a chair, courtside at the northern end. Rafa Nadal was pictured on the big screen at one point. Trying to return to his seat midway through the match, the 22-time grand slam champion was escorted by security around the concourse and down the steps. The commotion was extraordinary, as fans four deep – even in seats costing thousands of dollars – stood with their phones out, snapping away for something money can’t buy.

In a night full of memorable points, of baseline brilliance, ballsy drop shots and head-shaking lobs, Nadal only just made it back in time to see the best of them. At 1-2 in the third, Djokovic hit the ball around the net post for what seemed to be a winner, until Alcaraz ran it down. Behind the cool Nadal clapping politely, actor Simon Baker - the face of the TV show the Mentalist - was up and out of his seat in disbelief. Adding to the theatre, Djokovic walked to the back of the court and engaged his former rival in conversation, checking if he was comfortable.

Among the A-list actors and celebrities present was Sarah Snook, one of the stars of Succession and an irresistible invite. There was also Paul Ben-Victor, who played Spiros Vondas in season two of The Wire. That season told the story of stevedore Frank Sobotka, yesterday’s man trying to stay relevant in a fast-changing world.

Djokovic’s decline in the match was as compelling. He appeared at times constricted by a hip problem (although wouldn’t confirm his ailment afterwards), and he had a thousand-yard stare at the change of ends. The third set slipped by, despite the increasingly desperate urging of the crowd. “Ladies and gentlemen, if you call out during the point you will be sent out, and that will ruin your night,” the umpire politely suggested.

The arc of the contest was to be expected. Of course, Djokovic was the underdog, backing up two days after a four-hour ordeal. But he had beaten the defending champion Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals, and Alcaraz in two recent high-stakes meetings, at the Paris Olympics and in the quarter-finals here last year.

So Djokovic’s fourth-set revival was, to his faithful, no surprise. “No-le, No-le,” they cheered, detecting the veteran’s renewed vigour. Some joined in with “No-vak”, but the message was the same, and it seemed to get through. At 4-4 in the fourth, he secured a break point and turned to the crowd and asked them for more.

Djokovic had saved six break points in that set alone, and now had a precious opportunity to take back momentum. But he sent his forehand long, and threw his head back and winced. The moment was lost, the book of history slammed shut, as Alcaraz regained control.

With Djokovic serving at 5-6, 15-30, the fan with the beard started up again. “No-le, No-le.” The crowd responded and the chorus returned. Djokovic missed another forehand. His head dropped.

The next point, as the former world No 1 prepared to serve, there were a few shouts, but no more chants. And the fan with the beard pulled out his phone, wanting to capture the end.