You've been asking for it, and finally the wait is over! Djokovic vs Alcaraz AO 2025 Quarter Final FULL MATCH

Aabye5

G.O.A.T.
And Roger was better than his 2015 final. The opponent makes you play worse.

Nerves can also make you play worse, and that was definitely at play here. Novak served very well, but I wouldn't call that classic Nole. Watching this match, I'm less confident that he'll win a major this year. He played some good matches in Melbourne this year, but this was not about him primarily.
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
Yeah, I get people are disappointed he lost, but some of these comments are totally divorced from reality. Alcaraz actually played a pretty clean match – especially when you look at how he normally loses on hard courts. Frankly, this loss was light years better than his two losses at the hard court slams last year. The dominance ratio was almost even. Carlos was in the match, Djokovic just managed to win the big points, as he’s so good at doing. It was a lot like their Cincinnati final despite the very different-looking scoreline – only the level was undeniably quite a bit better here, from both guys. (Well, the end of that Cincy match was great, but the first two sets…)

I’d like to see Alcaraz get the win next time, and I feel he wasn’t terribly far off this time. If he’d broken to level it 4-4 in the fourth, he may have just worn down Djokovic in the end.
Absolutely but it's become the standard lately on this site. When Djokovic beats these guys, they either didn't play well or were weak opponents. The fact is, when Djokovic gets injured in a match like he did here, he goes into ultra aggressive mode because he can't move as well. To me, that's when he is most dangerous. He completely went into the zone as we've seen him do time and time again,. even if he's 37.

Alcaraz, as great as a player as he already is, doesn't counterpunch as well as Djokovic on this surface and has a hard time switching the offense from the opponent back onto their side as well as Djokovic can do. He also doesn't return as well. That's where he lost the match. In the 3rd and 4th sets, Djokovic was dictating the match and Alcaraz could not regain control.
 

mike danny

Bionic Poster
No. It's called everlasting bitterness.

I think Djokovic did as well as any other 37/38 year old. Possibly better considering everything.
Better is pushing it.

And it’s not bitterness is unless you think Alcaraz is an ATG on HC
 
This is the match that puts the nail in the coffin of the failed Juan Carlos Ferrero coaching project. Once grand in scope, the Alcaraz-Ferrero tennis project met its terminal death two weeks ago. Outclassed in the fundamentals; unable to adjust; unable to own the baseline with a significant athletic advantage against a 38 year old man; sloppy; profligate.

We will all remember this day for one thing and one thing only: the day that the fraud Juan Carlos Ferrero’s job became untenable.
Prime Kralingen poetry here.
 

zagor

Bionic Poster
Absolutely but it's become the standard lately on this site. When Djokovic beats these guys, they either didn't play well or were weak opponents. The fact is, when Djokovic gets injured in a match like he did here, he goes into ultra aggressive mode because he can't move as well. To me, that's when he is most dangerous. He completely went into the zone as we've seen him do time and time again,. even if he's 37.

Alcaraz, as great as a player as he already is, doesn't counterpunch as well as Djokovic on this surface and has a hard time switching the offense from the opponent back onto their side as well as Djokovic can do. He also doesn't return as well. That's where he lost the match. In the 3rd and 4th sets, Djokovic was dictating the match and Alcaraz could not regain control.

Carlito is really a bit like young Nadal on HC, he doesn't know how to use the surface's strengths when it comes to HC. He just got some great results even there because he's such an amazing shotmaker and athlete overall.

Novak gave him a HC lesson the last 3 sets honestly, the way he returned serve, changed the direction of the ball. The gulf in class on HC was just too big despite the big advantage Alcaraz has in terms of physicality.
 

Aabye5

G.O.A.T.
Djokovic avg forehand shot speed was 10 kmph higher than Alcaraz. He went all out in attack and came out victorious

Novak hit 3 winners to 10 unforced errors that first set. Please tell me how that's the good tennis?
 

jxs653

Professional
I didn't see the match. But Roddick and Intuitivetennis of youtube (iirc) spoke highly of this match. So it must be a good one.
 
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McGradey

Hall of Fame
This match was more about Djokovic’s level than Alcaraz’s, in my view. Djokovic played with a lot of aggression and it paid off. Alcaraz was not at his best but he was playing well enough to beat most other guys I’d think. I think he got the wobbles after the first set and MTO, then was probably shellshocked by what Djokovic started doing to his serve. Every service game was a brutal effort and Alcaraz couldn’t withstand the onslaught. It’s happened to basically everyone on RLA at some point with Gioco. So not really a big deal in the big scheme of things.

Match was on a knife edge at one point in the fourth set but Djokovic managed to snuff out the comeback.
 

onehandbh

G.O.A.T.
The big question, is will 2025 AO be Alcaraz's Medvedev Moment where Djokovic and the tour has solved him and he will no longer be able to win a slam again.
 

canta_Brian

Hall of Fame
Screenshot-20250204-094538.png
Is this the same Michael8587 who is paid by a broadcaster for his insightful commentary on matches?
 

Better_Call_Raul

Hall of Fame
Hard to believe, after that great effort, he then scratched from the next round against Zverev after the 1st set breaker didn't go his way. Sign of the times that his body is no longer as reliable as it once was?

What is hard to believe?
Djoker said he was injured in the first set. The painkillers kicked in and carried him to victory.
At the post-match interview he said he will have to see how it feels when he wakes up the next day. Skipped practice for next 2 days.
Djoker was running on fumes in the first set with Zed. That it went to a tiebreaker was a testament to Zed's choking tendencies.

This was the shot of the match: Final set. Djoker serving 4-3 and going down 0-30. Alcaraz smelling a break to even the set at 4-4.
Djoker then rips a backhand winner down the line to stay alive in the game. Otherwise it would have been 0-40.

Click on time-stamped video and it will take you directly to the critical exciting point.
 
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Alcaraz made 8 UEs out of 43 returnable 2nd serves, literally didn't get 2nd returns in play any deeper than his in play 1st returns, unambiguously 2nd served to Djokovic's forehand a whopping 3 times out of 33 2nd serves, and made 6 third ball errors out of 84 Djokovic returns in play (Djokovic was 4/96). Djokovic obviously played very well but i think it's a bit disingenuous to point to Alcaraz's 1st in % (when he was 1. covering for his 2nd serve, and 2. not maintaining that 1st in rate on break points), or say that Alcaraz played his best and wasn't making mistakes of strategy and execution
 

RS

Bionic Poster
Djokovic once again solidifying his Open Era king of tennis status. Phenomenal level in this match especially considering he was playing with an adductor tear for most of it. I will watch it again soon when I have time.
You are picturing a uninjured Djokovic winning the trophy based on this ;)
 
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Hitman

Bionic Poster
Great match. This one along with 2024 Olympics final is a true testament to Djoko's greatness.

Talking about a much older/outsider beating a young ATG in the making, there are only 2 other relevant GS matches that can be mentioned alongside this one: Connors at 37 crucifying Edberg in 1989 USO and one-legged Guga (even if only 28, one-legged and very much incapable to carry on as a pro) embarrassing young Federer.

I think Djokovic now sees in Alcaraz what he saw in the big 4, he simply gets up for it. That is credit to Alcaraz also, because Djokovic sees him as a very worthy equal.
 

Hitman

Bionic Poster
When Djokovic brings these guys down when they don't expect it or think it's possible, it has to be because the other guy was bad. Lol. There's a reason why he won 10 AOs and dominated all his rivals there.

If they beat him...see, this is what Djokovic was missing, ATG younger challengers.

If he beats them....meh, the guy is overrated on this surface. Big load of nothing win.
 

Hitman

Bionic Poster
Carlito is really a bit like young Nadal on HC, he doesn't know how to use the surface's strengths when it comes to HC. He just got some great results even there because he's such an amazing shotmaker and athlete overall.

Novak gave him a HC lesson the last 3 sets honestly, the way he returned serve, changed the direction of the ball. The gulf in class on HC was just too big despite the big advantage Alcaraz has in terms of physicality.

It is also Djokovic on his fav court in his fav conditions. I am sure Alcaraz learned a few lessons from the master that night.
 

Hitman

Bionic Poster
The big question, is will 2025 AO be Alcaraz's Medvedev Moment where Djokovic and the tour has solved him and he will no longer be able to win a slam again.

I sincerely hope not, he is a much better player than Medvedev.
 

aldeayeah

G.O.A.T.
It is also Djokovic on his fav court in his fav conditions. I am sure Alcaraz learned a few lessons from the master that night.
Not sure he has the tools to capitalize on those lessons. They have very different strengths and weaknesses.
 

junior74

Bionic Poster
Life is also too short to stay perpetually bitter about a slam race that no one other than three people took part in, but we choose what we choose I guess.

I just think MY life is too short to re-watch tennis matches with known outcome a few weeks after it happened in real time.

You're free to watch whatever you want - and take a higher ground with your attribution game, if that peels your banana.
 

RS

Bionic Poster
The last few days mean I will start opening threads again. Feels like the quality of threads have come alive after 2024 were it died.
 

Hitman

Bionic Poster
I just think MY life is too short to re-watch tennis matches with known outcome a few weeks after it happened in real time.

You're free to watch whatever you want - and take a higher ground with your attribution game, if that peels your banana.

You felt the need to post that life is too short though, right?

And the point isn't specifically at you, compared to the amount of time people spend here being bitter, its not that long. Anyways, you get my point.
 

nolefam_2024

Bionic Poster
You felt the need to post that life is too short though, right?

And the point isn't specifically at you, compared to the amount of time people spend here being bitter, its not that long. Anyways, you get my point.
Yes proving life is not too short. Just full of negativity.
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
Carlito is really a bit like young Nadal on HC, he doesn't know how to use the surface's strengths when it comes to HC. He just got some great results even there because he's such an amazing shotmaker and athlete overall.

Novak gave him a HC lesson the last 3 sets honestly, the way he returned serve, changed the direction of the ball. The gulf in class on HC was just too big despite the big advantage Alcaraz has in terms of physicality.
Yea very much so and it's the Spanish connection once again. Out of the last 4 great Spanish players (Nadal, Alcaraz, Ferrero, Moya), they all won RG but hardcourt is not their best surface. I think Busta is the only one I can think of who probably prefers it.

He really did and it was really something to watch him adapt to Alcaraz's ball and then switched it on. I think in the 2nd set, his forehand average speed was 86 mph. Alcaraz is great but he was playing the master of that court in this match and it showed. He still has a lot to learn.
 

Hitman

Bionic Poster
Yea very much so and it's the Spanish connection once again. Out of the last 4 great Spanish players (Nadal, Alcaraz, Ferrero, Moya), they all won RG but hardcourt is not their best surface. I think Busta is the only one I can think of who probably prefers it.

He really did and it was really something to watch him adapt to Alcaraz's ball and then switched it on. I think in the 2nd set, his forehand average speed was 86 mph. Alcaraz is great but he was playing the master of that court in this match and it showed. He still has a lot to learn.

I think Feliciano Lopez was another that preferred hard and grass over clay.
 

Hitman

Bionic Poster
Yep, and it's like rinse and repeat. Lol.

Remember the big talk about Wimbledon 2023, when we were told that this is what Djokovic was missing in his life, a younger ATG that could expose his age?

Now that same younger ATG gets beaten in the Olympics final, and we hear that Djokovic was lucky it wasn't best of five, then when does beat him in best of five in a slam, we hear....yeah, it's not big deal, Alcaraz isn't that good to begin with.

LMAO - Cannot give even a little credit.
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
Remember the big talk about Wimbledon 2023, when we were told that this is what Djokovic was missing in his life, a younger ATG that could expose his age?

Now that same younger ATG gets beaten in the Olympics final, and we hear that Djokovic was lucky it wasn't best of five, then when does beat him in best of five in a slam, we hear....yeah, it's not big deal, Alcaraz isn't that good to begin with.

LMAO - Cannot give even a little credit.
LOL. Yea I remember and this is exactly what happened. I never understood the idea he couldn't do it in BO5 since it was BO5 where he was hardest the beat the last few years in his 30s. The guys took him down a lot more in BO3 in big matches, like Zverev in 2021 Olympics, for example. It's so hard for some of them to just give credit.
I agree, and I think he wanted to retire at Wimbledon, but wasn't given a wild card. So he finished his career on grass in Mallorca.
Winning Queens in singles and doubles at 37 was pretty crazy.
 

zagor

Bionic Poster
Not sure he has the tools to capitalize on those lessons. They have very different strengths and weaknesses.

Fair point but someone as talented as Alcaraz can certainly improve in specific areas. Look at Nadal's journey from his early HC woes.

I know Carlos already won USO but people were acting like him winning AO to get a career slam is a foregone conclusion when he displays clear vulnerabilities on HC, he often gets outclassed against top HC opposition in AO and USO.

His match with Novak here people were focusing on Novak's supposed acting and Carlos getting thrown off, that's white noise IMO. He got outplayed, similarly to the way he did against say Med at USO in 2023 (when Med was still a top player).
 

Hitman

Bionic Poster
LOL. Yea I remember and this is exactly what happened. I never understood the idea he couldn't do it in BO5 since it was BO5 where he was hardest the beat the last few years in his 30s. The guys took him down a lot more in BO3 in big matches, like Zverev in 2021 Olympics, for example. It's so hard for some of them to just give credit.

Winning Queens in singles and doubles at 37 was pretty crazy.

It's because Djokovic continues to break the narrative...so the best thing to do is just crap on his competition. Or should I say, the easiest thing to do.

Yes, Lopez GOAT'd the event.
 

zagor

Bionic Poster
Remember the big talk about Wimbledon 2023, when we were told that this is what Djokovic was missing in his life, a younger ATG that could expose his age?

Now that same younger ATG gets beaten in the Olympics final, and we hear that Djokovic was lucky it wasn't best of five, then when does beat him in best of five in a slam, we hear....yeah, it's not big deal, Alcaraz isn't that good to begin with.

LMAO - Cannot give even a little credit.

Also funny how 2024 Wimbledon final was just down to Alcaraz zoning, while Novak's pre tourney surgery was dismissed as a part of his show and acting and whatnot.

That said I'd still favour Alcaraz at this point at Wimbledon, Novak can't do to him what he did at AO this year with the sure footing and predictable bounce that HC allows. Conditions are too different and modern grass suits Alcaraz very well where it allows his shotmaking to shine while still being slow enough to allow him time to setup his shots.
 

RS

Bionic Poster
Djokovic fans having a good old rant about the other fanbases disrespecting him.
 

Hitman

Bionic Poster
Also funny how 2024 Wimbledon final was just down to Alcaraz zoning, while Novak's pre tourney surgery was dismissed as a part of his show and acting and whatnot.

That said I'd still favour Alcaraz at this point at Wimbledon, Novak can't do to him what he did at AO this year with the sure footing and predictable bounce that HC allows. Conditions are too different and modern grass suits Alcaraz very well where it allows his shotmaking to shine while still being slow enough to allow him time to setup his shots.

Well, it is all about the opponent according to many here, Djokovic is just there for the ride.
 
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