Novak Djokovic secured his 50th Grand Slam semifinal appearance with a spectacular performance against Spanish third seed Carlos Alcaraz in a match that will be remembered as one of the Australian Open’s finest. The 24-time Grand Slam champion triumphed 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in a contest that stretched into the early hours of the morning, showcasing both players’ extraordinary skill and determination.
After losing the opening set, Djokovic, a 10-time champion at Melbourne Park, mounted a remarkable comeback despite requiring a medical timeout for a thigh injury. His resilience and tactical brilliance allowed him to turn the tide and outlast the 21-year-old Alcaraz in a grueling encounter lasting over three and a half hours.
“This was one of the most epic matches I’ve played on this court and any court, really,” Djokovic said in his post-match interview with Jim Courier, reflecting on the intensity and quality of the contest. “I just wish this match today was the final.”
The match featured relentless rallies, including a stunning 33-shot exchange in the fourth set that highlighted Alcaraz’s fighting spirit. However, Djokovic’s experience and composure proved decisive as he outmaneuvered the young Spaniard in critical moments, particularly in the final set.
The lead-up to the quarterfinal was anything but smooth for Djokovic, who faced scrutiny after boycotting an on-court interview in his previous match due to comments made by a journalist. Despite the off-court distractions and a visible injury, Djokovic delivered a performance that reaffirmed his status as one of the game’s greats.
“If I lost the second set, I’m not sure I would have continued playing,” Djokovic admitted, referencing the medication and determination that kept him in the match. “The medication started working, and I had to take another dose.”
Djokovic was full of admiration for Alcaraz, who is widely regarded as one of the future stars of tennis. “First, I want to say I give my utmost respect and admiration to Carlos Alcaraz,” Djokovic said. “He’s a terrific guy and an even better competitor. I’m sure we’re going to see a lot more of him, maybe more than I’d like,” he joked.
Alcaraz, despite the loss, expressed gratitude for the experience of competing against one of the sport’s legends. “Playing against one of the best in the history of our sport, these kinds of matches help me a lot for the future,” the young Spaniard said.
Djokovic will face second seed Alexander Zverev in the semifinals, as he continues his quest for an 11th Australian Open title. With his trademark resilience and brilliance, the Serbian maestro has once again proven that, even at 37, he remains a force to be reckoned with.
