Australian Open 2025 QF - [7] Novak Djokovic (SRB) v/s [3] Carlos Alcaraz Garfia (SPN)

[Nadal15thslam]

Alcaraz gets a time violation warning but Djokovic can take a fake mto when Alcaraz is serving for the set. Great

 

[BallisticMissileFonseca]

I have a feeling Nole is gonna win this

Rod Laver is supposed to be his backyard. Closest thing to Rafa at RG. If it weren't for Sinner's establishment draws, he'd be sitting on 11 AOs right now.

 

[Terenigma]

Another goat tier return pass!

 

[tudwell]

@tudwell unfortunately, whoever wins from the bottom half will likely be the runner up. Don’t see anyone beating a fit Sinner on the night courts of Melbourne

I still think Alcaraz could do it, but he’s gotta get there. Novak and Zverev aren’t beating him and Carlos may not either, but he’s got the best shot I think.

 

[Succession]

Rod Laver is supposed to be his backyard. Closest thing to Rafa at RG. If it weren't for Sinner's establishment draws, he'd be sitting on 11 AOs right now.

Yea that's correct

 

[TheSlicer]

Djokovic would have made that pass any other year

 

[dking68]

I still think Alcaraz could do it, but he’s gotta get there. Novak and Zverev aren’t beating him and Carlos may not either, but he’s got the best shot I think.

For sure but I still think he’s losing if he’s struggling so much against a 37 year old on night courts. Sinner will massacre him in 4 probably

 

[Hitman]

If Alcaraz wins this AO, considering that Djokovic, Zverev and Sinner will all give him resistance, it has to be one of the best slam runs in the modern era.

 

[Subway Tennis]

Djokovic at 38 running around this court like he’s Usain Bolt despite his so called groin and knee injury is truly something else!!

Maybe that magic disc does work lol.

Not saying it is an injury, but if it is I’m wondering if it is a hamstring strain. A more serious hamstring and he would not be able to move at all without intense pain, but a light strain would affect explosive forward movement and lateral movements to his left where the left leg is fully extended straight (stuff like sliding into an open stance backhand).

 

[tudwell]

For sure but I still think he’s losing if he’s struggling so much against a 37 year old on night courts. Sinner will massacre him in 4 probably

I think he gets uniquely psyched up to play Djokovic, though, in a way that doesn’t happen against Sinner. Sometimes it helps him against Novak and sometimes it hurts him. But we’ll see. Gotta dig his way out of this one first, and then weather the Chainz serve.

 

[Hitman]

Nobody who is a slam contender is so not the best argument

It is valid.

 

[Subway Tennis]

If Alcaraz wins this AO, considering that Djokovic, Zverev and Sinner will all give him resistance, it has to be one of the best slam runs in the modern era.

What if Djokovic did the same thing, but at 37?

 

[odonogar]

Alcaraz needs to make Djokovic work harder for his service games

 

[Hitman]

Sliding BH pass by Djokovic, Alcaraz unable to control it.

 

[SteffiGoat]

If Alcaraz wins this AO, considering that Djokovic, Zverev and Sinner will all give him resistance, it has to be one of the best slam runs in the modern era.

If Novak wins this AO having to go through the world number 3, 2 and 1 in succession, that'd be epic!

 

[RF-18]

Djokovic at 38 running around this court like he’s Usain Bolt despite his so called groin and knee injury is truly something else!!

Maybe that magic disc does work lol.

You sound like a broken record. Nobody cares.

 

[Move]

Carlos not so much smiling atm ...

 

[JackieTreeh0rn]

Just making up nonsense now. He didn’t fake his way to 24 slams. I never said that.

But this fake injury nonsense is so obvious, look at the amount of people agreeing. Even John McEnroe said it.

How is it fake? He’s half-limping between points.

 

[BallisticMissileFonseca]

 

[Rebel-I.N.S]

Djokovic is seen as the greatest by most, so he is not a normal mid-late 30 year old.

He is the exception to the rule.

Of course, that’s fair.

However, I give a notch of extra respect to Novak’s contemporaraeonus 80s generation who took titles away from Djokovic at his absolute physical peak…!

 

[ultimathule]

Djokovic is tormenting Alcaraz with guile

 

[MeatTornado]

I think it's been over an hour since the last time Charlie created a BP opportunity.

 

[Nadal15thslam]

How is it fake? He’s half-limping between points.

Why only between and not during? He is faking it

 

[Hitman]

Of course, that’s fair.

However, I give a notch of extra respect to Novak’s contemporaraeonus 80s generation who took titles away from Djokovic at his absolute physical peak…!

Djokovic cannot win every match my friend. LOL

 

[roysid]

I see Djokovic has gone to 2021 AO mode now , particularly Fritz match. Going for the lines in his serve. And Alcaraz like Fritz that day hasn't adjusted and allowing the serves to pass by

 

[Move]

What if Djokovic did the same thing, but at 37?

Then it would be called weakera right away

 

[dking68]

@tudwell don’t forget Sinner hasn’t beaten him in a slam since 2022, so I still think he has that up his sleeve.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

If Alcaraz wins this AO, considering that Djokovic, Zverev and Sinner will all give him resistance, it has to be one of the best slam runs in the modern era.

You’re assuming De Minaur doesn’t take Sinner out!

 

[BallisticMissileFonseca]

oooof that smash looked close to the net

 

[NYTennisfan]

Djokovic is the better player on this court even at his advanced age. Hard courts just don't seem to suit Alcaraz

 

[BorgTheGOAT]

Raz is so overrated.

 

[Terenigma]

What if Djokovic did the same thing, but at 37?

Then he'd be the  goat uhh goaten? Greatest of all time especially now.

 

[GodlessEndeavor]

How is it fake? He’s half-limping between points.

Imagine a time when you were legitimately limping by just walking. Are you going to be sprinting like an olympic athlete and doing super athletic stretches on the run?

Djokovic is human and the body doesn't work like that. Any limping is just possuming or psychological or both.

 

[jon70]

The colour of this court and pace of play has me looking forward to bed.

 

[TheSlicer]

Doesnt look good, Carlos cant really play his best tennis here for now, theres something about this court... The ball bounces Kind of dead, its not very fast either, uso courts suit him much more

 

[Hitman]

If Raz pulls this off, he will deserve full credit for this win. Nole is playing well, and isn't making it easy at all.

 

[BallisticMissileFonseca]

Raz is so overrated.

It's the Babolat racquet. Lacks precision, too erratic.

 

[BallisticMissileFonseca]

Mpetshi Perricard second serve there by Charlie.

 

[Terenigma]

Rally wise, Alcaraz for me still feels the far superior but he's overthinking shots. The difference in this match really does feel mental.

 

[BallisticMissileFonseca]

Rally wise, Alcaraz for me still feels the far superior but he's overthinking shots. The difference in this match really does feel mental.

iq diff or focus diff?

 

[yourtennisfit]

It's the Babolat racquet. Lacks precision, too erratic.

I cannot even decide if your comment or the one before is less intelligent

 

[Cage Rattler]

Alcaraz serving too much down the middle. Djokovic not needing to move as much hence the great returning. His serve pretty weak relative to the rest of his game. Surprised he hasn't realized, or the coach has told him, to stretch Djokovic on the forehand as he is clearly hampered that side.

 

[Rebel-I.N.S]

Djokovic cannot win every match my friend. LOL

I’m a Murray fan, amigo.

And I used to (often deludedly) tell myself this every time Andy and Novak squared off.

 

[Hitman]

Rally wise, Alcaraz for me still feels the far superior but he's overthinking shots. The difference in this match really does feel mental.

Its because he respects Djokovic too much.

 

[ibbi]

Rally wise, Alcaraz for me still feels the far superior but he's overthinking shots. The difference in this match really does feel mental.

Once the ball is in play, yes (though he's playing loose and doesn't feel remotely locked in) but Djokovic is serving and returning so well that he is rarely getting control.

 

[Subway Tennis]

Then he'd be the  goat uhh goaten? Greatest of all time especially now.

It would be one of the greatest age-related achievements imo. Factoring in how old Djokovic is and the youthful potency of Sinner and Alcaraz. The odds couldnt be stacked against Djokovic more. And he literally has one functioning leg at the moment just to throw that into the bargain.

 

[BallisticMissileFonseca]

Gosh... Eva Lys might be the prettiest player on the tour.

 

[TheSlicer]

Carlos having a very hard time winning points with his second serve

 

[Terenigma]

iq diff or focus diff?

Focus. He's shown good shot iq with the drop shots but it just feels like he's going for too much. A few silly double faults, overhitting. When he calms down and rallies, he's outlasting and outhitting Novak.

 

[Hitman]

I’m a Murray fan, amigo.

And I used to (often deludedly) tell myself this every time Andy and Novak squared off.

Everyone is a Murray fan....its just most won't say it out loud.