Novak Djokovic Advances To Blockbuster Showdown With Carlos Alcaraz

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are headed for the blockbuster quarterfinal at the Australian Open on Tuesday that tennis fans have been anticipating since the draw came out.

No. 3 Alcaraz was first to advance via a 7-5, 6-1 walkover against Britain’s No. 15 Jack Draper.

No. 7 Djokovic followed during the night session with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) victory over No. 24 Jiří Lehečka of the Czech Republic.

The Serb, seeking a record 25th Grand Slam title, then skipped his on-court interview with Jim Courier, reportedly because he was unhappy with how the crowd treated him during his fourth-round match.

Alcaraz, meantime, was asked if thinks about Djokovic’s accomplishments when playing him.

“If I think about everything he has done in tennis, I couldn’t play,” the Spaniard said. “I know I’m able to beat him. That’s all I’m thinking when I face him.”

Djokovic, the 10-time Australian Open champion, leads Alcaraz 4-3 and won their most recent encounter, in the championship match of the Paris Olympics, giving the Serb his first gold medal in singles. It was the only significant title Djokovic won in 2024; he did not capture any major titles.

Alcaraz, meantime, won the French Open and Wimbledon, beating Djokovic in the Wimbledon final. He is seeking to become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam.

“I’m a very ambitious person and I want to win the Australian Open to complete my Grand Slam record,” Alcarazl told reporters in Spain last month, per Marca. “I want 2025 to be an even more exciting year. Let’s just say I want more. Australia is what I want to get tattooed, even though my dad doesn’t like it very much. To be champion there is my main goal for next season.”

Djokovic is now coached by former rival Andy Murray, while Alcaraz is coached by another former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferreiro.

All four men have history with one another, and now comes another historic chapter.

Either Alcaraz will beat the Serbian legend and remain on track for the career Grand Slam, or Djokovic will beat his current No. 1 rival and advance for a shot at a record 25th major title.

Either way, either man could still have to go through No. 2 Alexander Zverev and/or No. 1 Jannik Sinner to win the title.