Carlos Alcaraz will have to wait for another year to chase a Career Grand Slam in Melbourne. The 21-year-old suffered the Australian Open quarter-final loss to Novak Djokovic at Rod Laver Arena. Thus, the Spaniard ended his campaign Down Under in the last eight for the second straight year.
While leaving Melbourne much earlier than expected, Carlos achieved a notable Major milestone! At 21 years and eighth months, he became the second-youngest player with ten Major quarter-finals, joining Mats Wilander at the top of the list.
No. Way. 🤯
Carlos Alcaraz, you’re something else 😲@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/wDeHh7awLt
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2025
Collecting ten Major quarter-finals is not an easy task, especially if you chase that at 21! Of course, it always helps when you start the pursuit at 18, which Alcaraz did at the 2021 US Open. The young gun earned two more quarter-finals in 2022.
Carlos played three Majors in 2023 and had a deep run at every, standing with six Major quarter-finals on his tally at 20! The young gun repeated that last year, moving to nine quarter-finals and achieving the milestone last week in Melbourne!
Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
For an illustration, Alcaraz left behind the players like Boris Becker, Bjorn Borg, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras! The Spaniard kicked off his fifth Australian Open campaign against Alexander Shevchenko.
Carlos experienced a couple of breaks in the second set but sealed the deal without further issues. World no. 3 toppled Yoshihito Nishioka in the second round and worked harder against Nuno Borges. The Portuguese claimed a set before falling in four sets, pushing the Spaniard through.
Alcaraz battled against his good friend Jack Draper in the fourth round. He prevailed in the opener and bested an exhausted rival in the second set before Draper retired. Thus, Carlos advanced to his tenth Major quarter-final at 21 years and eight months.
Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The young gun faced the ten-time champion Novak Djokovic and suffered a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 loss in three hours and 37 minutes. Alcaraz claimed the opener and had his chances in the second set against the rival who struggled with an injury.
Djokovic felt better from the third set when the medication started to work. He outplayed world no. 3 in sets three and four to move into his 50th Major semi-final. Novak won nine points more than Carlos and played more reliable tennis despite issues.
The Spaniard hit 50 winners and 40 unforced errors but sprayed too many mistakes in the pivotal moments. The veteran lost serve four times and took six return games to emerge at the top. Alcaraz claimed the opener with a break in game nine.
Novak Djokovic & Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Djokovic took a medical timeout and struggled again in set number two. However, he grabbed an early break for 3-0 before losing serve in game five. The 37-year-old made a push on the return at 5-4 and stole the set with a backhand down the line winner.
Carlos struggled on serve in the third set and got broken in the sixth game after a loose backhand. World no. 3 pulled the break back in the next one before suffering a break at love a few minutes later after Novak’s forehand winner.
The ten-time winner served for the set at 5-3 and claimed an entertaining rally to open two sets to one advantage. Novak secured another break at the beginning of the fourth set and saved a break point three games later for 3-1.
Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Djokovic held after deuces in the sixth game and missed a break chance in the next one after a 36-shot exchange. Alcaraz tried everything to return to the positive side and created two break points in the eighth game. Djokovic saved them and held for 5-3 with a forehand winner.
The legend served for the win at 5-4 and drew the rival’s mistake to seal the deal and advance, leaving Carlos empty-handed. The Spaniard will try to bounce back at Roland Garros and defend the title.
Tennis World USA