Carlos Alcaraz chased a Career Grand Slam at the Australian Open. The 21-year-old could not complete all four Major crowns in Melbourne following the quarter-final defeat to Novak Djokovic.
The Serb overcame a hamstring injury and prevailed 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in three hours and 37 minutes, ending the Spaniard’s title dreams. Carlos’ coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, admitted the loss was slightly disappointing.
A player of Alcaraz’s caliber always seeks a trophy, but Djokovic had other plans! The veteran dropped the opener before bouncing back and sealing the deal after another titanic battle against his great rival.
STOP IT, YOU TWO 🤯
Tennis from another planet between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz! 👏@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/mZ2TcJBEGl
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2025
Novak and Carlos wrote history at Rod Laver Arena. With almost 16 years separating them, they embraced the eighth-largest age difference in the Major quarter-finals – the biggest since 1989! Djokovic claimed nine points more than Alcaraz.
The Serb received a medical timeout in the first set and made a fresh start in the second. The medication did the magic, and the 37-year-old endured the effort and moved over the top after another notable performance.
Novak Djokovic & Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Carlos fired 50 winners and 40 unforced errors. However, he sprayed too many mistakes in the pivotal moments and lost ground after a promising start. The ten-time champion suffered four breaks and provided six return games that carried him home.
They traded early breaks at the start of the duel. Djokovic struggled with his movement and missed a game point in game nine. He faced a break point and missed a forehand to fall behind. The veteran left the court and received a medical timeout.
Alcaraz kept his focus and landed an ace in game ten for a hold at love and 6-4. Novak made a fresh start in the second set and delivered a break for a 3-0 advantage. Djokovic missed a volley in the fifth game, bringing his rival back to the positive side.
Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Carlos could not build on that break despite defending two break points in game six for 3-3. The veteran held at love in game nine and made a push on the return in the next one. Novak landed a backhand down the line return winner, breaking the young gun at love and leveling the overall score.
It took away Alcaraz’s confidence. The Spaniard survived on serve in games two and four of the third set. However, he squandered a 40-15 lead at 2-3 and missed a backhand on a break point to find himself 4-2 behind.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
World no. 3 still battled hard and pulled the break back in game seven to return to the positive side. Facing those situations many times before, Djokovic grabbed another break in game eight with a forehand winner and opened a 5-3 gap.
The Serb fell 30-0 down in game nine before climbing back and attacking with his backhand on a set point. Thus, the ten-time winner forged two sets to one lead in two hours and 34 minutes and moved closer to the finish line.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Novak broke Carlos early in the fourth set to control the scoreboard. He saved a break point at 2-1 and bypassed deuces in game six to open a 4-2 gap. Carlos faced a break point in game seven and denied it after a 36-stroke exchange.
Djokovic faced the ultimate test at 4-3. He saved break points and brought the game home with a forehand winner at the net. Alcaraz closed the ninth game with a powerful serve and extended the battle. Novak served for the win at 5-4.
The 37-year-old earned a match point and drew the rival’s mistake, celebrating a notable victory and reaching his 50th Major semi-final.
Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
“Carlos’ Australian Open loss to Novak came as a slight disappointment for everyone. Many players would have signed up to reach the quarter-final, but we always think of going further, considering Carlos’ potential.
The Rotterdam title gave him an injection of confidence ahead of his next tournaments,” Juan Carlos Ferrero said.
Tennis World USA