Like all of us, the previous world no. 1 Patrick Rafter expects fireworks within the Australian Open conflict between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz! The Aussie observed an anger in Novak, and that is when he performs his finest tennis.
Then again, the serve & volley magician known as Carlos the world’s finest participant. Nevertheless, Rafter highlighted the Spaniard’s sporadic flat traces when he competed beneath his finest. Regardless of that, Patrick gave Alcaraz a slight edge over Djokovic.
Carlos Alcaraz by accident hit one thing forward of his match on the Australian Open
Seems prefer it was both costly or vital 😂😂😂😂pic.twitter.com/QkEdWtihzI
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 21, 2025
Novak is searching for his twenty fifth Main crown and the eleventh in Melbourne. He fell to Jannik Sinner within the semi-final a 12 months in the past and desires to go two steps additional this week. The veteran will doubtless face top-3 gamers en path to the title, like within the good outdated instances nearly twenty years in the past!
Djokovic made a shaky begin, shedding two units within the opening two rounds. Nevertheless, the legend raised his degree and toppled Tomas Machac and Jiri Lehecka in straight units en path to his fifteenth Australian Open quarter-final.
Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Alcaraz targets the remaining lacking Main title, hoping to perform a Profession Grand Slam at 21! The Spaniard misplaced one set within the opening 4 encounters. He battled previous a few difficult moments and entered the final eight when Jack Draper retired within the fourth spherical.
Novak and Carlos will battle at Majors for the primary time, with the Serb scoring a win at Roland Garros and the Spaniard celebrating two instances at Wimbledon. They’ll struggle at a hard-court Main for the primary time, and it must be a cracker.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
“Novak is in a good headspace. He is nice and angry, and he likes that. Novak plays his best tennis when he is angry, and he is all fired up. Carlos is the man – he is so good. There is no better player than him. However, things could go wrong for him when he feels a bit flat.
Novak and Carlos should play an unbelievable match, and I can not wait to watch it. One of the greatest players of all time is facing the up-and-comer. I’m not sure who will win, and I do not like to predict.
I may give Carlos a slight edge because of the past results and that Novak has not had big wins recently,” Patrick Rafter stated.
