Novak Djokovic ‘expecting a big battle’ in Australian Open quarterfinal against Carlos Alcaraz who reminds the Serb of Rafael Nadal
World No. 7 Novak Djokovic will be meeting World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz for the first time in a hard-court Grand Slam event.
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Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz (Images via X)
Novak Djokovic will be battling against Carlos Alcaraz in what is probably the most much-awaited clash of the Australian Open. The Serb, who is chasing his 25th Grand Slam title, beat Jiri Lehecka in straight sets to schedule the quarterfinal clash with the youngster from Spain.
Speaking about the upcoming clash, the intensity with which Alcaraz plays, reminds Djokovic of another Spaniard, the 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal against whom, the Serb edges 31-29 in their head-to-head meeting.
Djokovic has played many memorable matches against Nadal and now that the King of Clay has retired, Alcaraz is challenging him. The 24-time Grand Slam champion has met Alcaraz seven times, with the last clash being the final of the 2024 Paris Olympics, which Djokovic won.
I’m expecting a big battle, as it’s the case in most of our matches, where we face each other. Maybe, just couple of times, it was quite one-sided. Wimbledon finals last year, he was the dominant force on the court, and I had a really good match against him in the World Tour Finals in 2023.
Novak Djokovic said at the press conference
Djokovic has met Alcaraz twice in the Wimbledon final and succumbed to a five-set defeat in 2023 and to a straight-sets defeat in 2024. The upcoming match will be their first meeting Down Under.
Other than that, we had some long battles, long exchanges, kind of matches that I played against him, reminds me of my matchups versus Nadal in terms of the intensity and the energy on the court.
Novak Djokovic added
The last time we saw Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz play on a hard court, this insane point happened. 🤯pic.twitter.com/Fpivojhapk
— Danny 🐊 (@DjokovicFan_) January 19, 2025
John McEnroe says chasing 25th Major is motivating Novak Djokovic at Australian Open
Novak Djokovic is the most successful player in Melbourne, winning the title 10 times. And although he dropped a set in his first and second rounds, the next two rounds saw Djokovic wrapping up his matches quickly.
John McEnroe, like many fans and tennis pundits, is convinced the Serbian great’s goal of becoming the first player with 25 Grand Slam titles, is the motivating factor behind the 37-year-old’s performances in the tournament.
What he wants is to get to 25, I don’t think he cares how he does it.
John McEnroe told Eurosport
Djokovic failed to win a Major last year, reaching just the Wimbledon final. He started this season at the Brisbane International to prepare well for the season’s first Major and so far nothing much hampered him from cruising toward his goal.
The tennis world is now eagerly waiting for the quarterfinal, scheduled on Tuesday (January 21) against Carlos Alcaraz, who is aiming to become the youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam.
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Gouri Das
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