Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz will hit collectively in Melbourne

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz shall be among the many title favorites on the upcoming Australian Open. Two rivals are but to satisfy in Melbourne, though they are going to share the court docket on Tuesday. The a number of Main champions will practice collectively at Rod Laver Enviornment.

Novak and Carlos will search deep runs in Melbourne following final 12 months’s setbacks. Djokovic couldn’t chase his eleventh Australian Open trophy, falling to Jannik Sinner within the semi-final. It was Novak’s first Australian Open defeat after passing the quarter-final stage.

Sinner took cost within the opening two units, taming his strokes properly and outplaying the legend. Djokovic saved a match level within the third set and prolonged the battle earlier than shedding floor within the fourth, propelling the younger gun into the title conflict.

Novak Djokovic & Carlos Alcaraz, Wimbledon 2024© Stream screenshot

Novak claimed the Olympic Video games gold medal in August final 12 months and slowed down his engines. The 24-time Main winner performed two official tournaments by the tip of the 12 months, recharging batteries and in search of Main glory in 2025.

The Serb began the brand new season on the ATP 250 occasion in Brisbane and fell to Reilly Opelka within the quarter-final. Djokovic would be the seventh seed in Melbourne, with potential matches towards Sinner, Alcaraz or Zverev already within the quarter-final.

Carlos Alcaraz didn’t play matches forward of the Australian Open, opting to coach at dwelling. The younger Spaniard will search the elusive Main crown, hoping to finish a Profession Grand Slam at 21! Alcaraz has but to indicate his A-game in Melbourne.

He reached the quarter-final a 12 months in the past however fell to Alexander Zverev after a mediocre efficiency. Carlos would be the third seed in Melbourne, and it needs to be fascinating to see his path towards the title.

Alcaraz and Djokovic have met 3 times at Majors. Their first duel got here on the 2023 Roland Garros. They cut up the opening two units earlier than the 20-year-old misplaced the bottom. Carlos felt cramps in the whole physique and stood no likelihood in units three and 4.

The Spaniard bounced again at Wimbledon and topped the Serb in thrilling 5 units, claiming his second Main title. Two rivals met once more in final 12 months’s Wimbledon ultimate. This time, there was just one participant on the court docket.

Alcaraz took cost and ousted the seven-time winner 6-2, 6-2, 7-6, defending the title and celebrating his fourth Main crown at 21!