Novak Djokovic on his fireplace: ‘Beating Carlos Alcaraz reminds me why I keep pushing’

At this stage of Novak Djokovic’s profession, it is all about remaining aggressive on the notable scene! The Serb has not performed properly after the Australian Open, overcoming a hamstring damage however struggling early losses in Doha and Indian Wells. 

Nonetheless, Novak’s fireplace nonetheless burns at 37 and every thing he has achieved over the earlier 20 years. The rationale? His motivation to maintain pushing and earn extra victories just like the one towards Carlos Alcaraz on the Australian Open! 

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2025

Djokovic’s most high-profile victory of the season got here within the quarter-final in Melbourne. The Serb met world no. 3 Carlos Alcaraz and prevailed 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in three hours and 37 minutes regardless of injuring his left leg. 

Novak gave every thing to emerge on the high, outplaying the younger gun and turning into the third-oldest participant to beat a top-3 participant at Majors within the Open period. He joined Ken Rosewall and Roger Federer on the unique listing and generated one other good milestone. 

Novak Djokovic & Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot

 

The veteran injured his left leg within the opening set and obtained a medical timeout after the ninth sport. Carlos claimed the opener and appeared like the favourite to succeed in the semi-final. Nonetheless, Novak recovered his sport and introduced a notable victory dwelling. 

The Serb claimed 9 factors greater than the Spaniard and saved his composure within the pivotal moments. Alcaraz fired 50 winners however sprayed 40 unforced errors, usually within the essential moments. Djokovic gave serve away 4 instances. 

He responded with six breaks on his tally, overcoming all of the challenges and transferring into his twelfth Australian Open semi-final. They traded early breaks within the opener, and Alcaraz grabbed one other at 4-4 after Djokovic’s forehand mistake. 

Novak Djokovic & Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot

 

The veteran obtained a medical timeout for his troubled leg and dropped the opener when his rival held at love in sport ten. Novak stepped in and solid a 3-0 lead within the second set. Carlos pulled the break again in sport 5 and saved two break factors within the subsequent one for 3-3. 

Djokovic made a push on the return at 5-4 and broke his rival at love with a backhand down the road return winner, leveling the general rating and gaining an enormous increase. The Spaniard skilled a break within the sixth sport of the third set after a wayward backhand. 

He erased the deficit within the subsequent one and added extra drama. Novak used his huge expertise and stayed targeted. The ten-time winner painted a forehand winner within the eighth sport for a break and a 5-3 benefit. 

Carlos Alcaraz & Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot

 

Djokovic held in sport 9 from 0-30, unleashing an enormous roar and transferring two units to at least one in entrance. Novak broke at the start of the fourth set and denied a break level at 2-1 to remain in entrance. Alcaraz denied a break level in sport seven after a 36-stroke change and remained in contact. 

Carlos wasted two break factors within the eighth sport that would have turned the tables. Novak clinched it with a forehand winner and opened a 5-3 benefit. The veteran served for the win at 5-4 and prompted the rival’s mistake.

Thus, he sealed the deal and grew to become the third-oldest participant with a top-3 win at Majors.

Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot

 

“It’s still encouraging to experience how I played in Australia. I can still beat the rivals like Carlos Alcaraz. That’s the biggest reason I keep pushing and motivating myself – I know I still have it in my legs, hands and arms.

I can still provide the level of tennis that can put me in a good position to win notable titles,” Novak Djokovic stated.