MELBOURNE, Australia — Brace yourselves for the thrilling eighth chapter of the epic face-off between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. This encounter marks a significant milestone as it will be their inaugural clash at the Australian Open and the first time they meet in the quarterfinals; prior bouts occurred only in semifinals or finals.
“I guess this isn’t the ideal matchup for a quarterfinal,” Alcaraz chuckled as he looked forward to their Tuesday showdown. “But playing against Novak doesn’t change my approach, whether it’s a quarterfinal or semifinal—though it might feel a bit different in a final. As for this quarterfinal, I’ll tackle it just like I did in our previous encounters. Let’s see how it unfolds.”
Alcaraz secured his spot in this quarterfinal, his tenth at a Grand Slam, making history as he equals the record for the most quarterfinal appearances by a male player before turning 22. He advanced when 15th-seeded Jack Draper retired due to a hip injury after losing the first two sets on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Djokovic, who has the strategic support of his former rival Andy Murray in Melbourne, also progressed, triumphing with a score of 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (4) over No. 24 Jiri Lehecka amidst the vibrant atmosphere of Rod Laver Arena.
After his victory, Djokovic opted out of the standard on-court interview, choosing instead to hold the microphone himself and convey his gratitude to the audience: “Thank you for your support tonight. I genuinely appreciate everyone being here. Looking forward to the next round. Thank you!” With that, he exited the stage.
Later, in the press conference, he explained his decision to refrain from speaking with Channel 9 until an apology is issued regarding derogatory remarks aimed at him and Serbian fans by one of its commentators, Tony Jones.
With much at stake in this tournament, both No. 3 seed Alcaraz, at just 21, and No. 7 Djokovic, who is 37, face critical challenges ahead.
Djokovic compared facing Alcaraz to his legendary clashes with Rafael Nadal, citing the intensity and energy that both competitors bring on the court. “He’s incredibly explosive and talented,” Djokovic acknowledged. “A charismatic player that everyone loves to watch—though perhaps not the most enjoyable to compete against.”
Alcaraz aims to become the youngest male player ever to complete a Career Grand Slam, aspiring to capture trophies from all four major tournaments. His current tally includes two Wimbledon titles against Djokovic in 2023 and 2024, and singles victories at the U.S. Open in 2022 and the French Open last year.
Whereas Djokovic is on the quest for his 11th title in Melbourne, which would also mark his 25th major singles championship—an unprecedented feat in tennis history. His recent win has tied him with Roger Federer for the most quarterfinal appearances at the Australian Open, with an impressive count of 15.
Currently, Djokovic holds the edge in their overall matchups with a score of 4-3, including a recent final victory at the Paris Olympics that earned him a gold medal for Serbia.
However, in their encounters at major tournaments, Alcaraz holds a slight lead at 2-1.
“If I dwell on all that he has achieved in tennis, I might as well not play. 24 Grand Slam titles, the record for most weeks as No. 1—he’s on the verge of shattering every record,” Alcaraz reflected. “However, when I’m on the court, I focus on my game and aim to defeat him. I’m aware of my strengths and know that playing my best tennis gives me a fighting chance.”
On Sunday, Alcaraz was leading 7-5, 6-1 when Draper was compelled to retire, following physical struggles after winning his first three matches at Melbourne Park in five sets.
“It’s not how I envisioned winning; I’d prefer to earn my place in the next round,” Alcaraz admitted. “While I’m excited for another quarterfinal here in Australia, it’s a bit disheartening for Jack.”
Alcaraz’s Sunday win is recorded as his first against a top-20 opponent at the Australian Open, bringing him level with legends Bjorn Borg, Boris Becker, and Mats Wilander for the most major quarterfinals reached before the age of 22.
Alcaraz’s best performance at the Australian Open came last year when he reached the quarterfinals but fell to Alexander Zverev at that stage. The other quarterfinal match in the men’s draw features No. 2 Zverev facing off against No. 12 Tommy Paul.