Alcaraz and Djokovic will meet within the quarterfinals of the Australian Open

MELBOURNE, Australia – It is time for the eighth installment of the intergenerational rivalry between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. This, nonetheless, would be the first on the Australian Open – and the primary of the event’s quarterfinals; one another entered the semifinals or finals.

“Effectively, he is not the precise participant to play within the quarterfinals, I feel,” mentioned a pale Alcaraz, looking forward to Tuesday’s match. “However going through Novak, for me, nothing will change if I play him (within the quarterfinal) or the semifinal. Possibly change a bit if it is the ultimate, clearly. Since I’m within the quarterfinals, I’ll strategy the sport in the identical method as I did within the earlier video games we confronted, let’s examine.”

Alcaraz reached his tenth Grand Slam quarterfinal, tied for essentially the most by a person earlier than his twenty second birthday, by advancing when Fifteenth-seeded Jack Draper retired with a hip damage after dropping the primary two units on Sunday afternoon.

Djokovic, who’s coached in Melbourne by previous rival Andy Murray, performed his half on the evening at Rod Laver Area, needing a bit of labor however got here by means of in type 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (4) to win No. 24 Jiri Lehecka.

Afterward, Djokovic declined to do a standard on-court interview, as a substitute taking the microphone himself and telling the gang: “Thanks a lot for being right here tonight. I admire your presence and assist. I will see you subsequent spherical. I see so much.” Then he left.

At his press convention later, he defined that he wouldn’t converse to Australia’s Channel 9 broadcaster till he acquired an apology for on-air feedback made by considered one of its workers, Tony Jones. Djokovic mentioned Jones, whom he didn’t title, “made enjoyable of the Serbian followers and spoke disrespectfully and offensively about me.”

Djokovic mentioned he’ll proceed to keep away from speaking to the community.

There’s a lot at stake on this event for each No. 3 Alcaraz, 21, and No. 7 Djokovic, 37 years previous.

Djokovic mentioned taking part in Alcaraz reminded him of “my matchups with (Rafael) Nadal, when it comes to depth and energy on the courtroom. He’s a really sturdy, explosive participant. You’re extremely gifted. Charismatic participant. It is good to observe; it is not a pleasant factor to play with.”

Alcaraz is looking for to turn into the youngest man to finish a Grand Slam profession with a minimum of one medal in all 4 of tennis’ most prestigious occasions. 4 of his thus far have come elsewhere: two at Wimbledon due to victories over Djokovic within the 2023 and 2024 finals, in addition to the US Open in 2022 and the French Open final 12 months.

In the meantime, Djokovic is attempting to assert an eleventh title in Melbourne to turn into the primary participant in tennis historical past to win 25 main singles tournaments. Sunday’s victory allowed him to tie Roger Federer for many quarterfinal appearances by a person on the Australian Open, with 15.

Djokovic leads Alcaraz 4-3, together with a victory within the ultimate on the Paris Olympics final August to earn Serbia the gold medal.

Nevertheless, within the majors, Alcaraz leads 2-1.

“Once I take into consideration every little thing he did in tennis, I could not play. I imply, 24 Grand Slam, many weeks at No. 1 – every little thing. He virtually broke all of the information in tennis. I strive not to consider that once I’m within the sport. I am simply attempting to … beat him,” Alcaraz mentioned. “I do know my weapons. I do know that (if) I can play good tennis in opposition to him, I can beat him.”

On Sunday, Alcaraz was main 7-5, 6-1 when Draper determined he couldn’t proceed. He was coping with bodily issues after profitable every of his first three matches at Melbourne Park in 5 units.

“It is not the best way I wish to win the sport, to go to the subsequent spherical,” mentioned Alcaraz. “I am comfortable to play one other quarterfinal right here in Australia, however I am just a little upset about Jack.”

Sunday’s match goes down within the books as Alcaraz’s first win in opposition to a top-20 opponent on the Australian Open. He even drew Bjorn Borg, Boris Becker and Mats Wilander for the very best variety of quarterfinal appearances earlier than 22.

Alcaraz’s finest run at Melbourne Park was reaching the quarterfinals final 12 months, earlier than shedding at that stage to Alexander Zverev. The opposite quarterfinal within the decrease half of the boys’s bracket might be No. 2 Zverev in opposition to No. 12 Tommy Paul.