In one of the biggest upsets of the Australian Open, 38-year-old Novak Djokovic won a thrilling contest over higher-seeded Carlos Alcaraz to enter the semi-final.
Djokovic secured a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 win, marking his 50th Grand Slam semifinal appearance and once demonstrating his ability to perform well in major titles. The Serb answered his critics after going titleless in 2024, a year dominated by Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Starting the tournament as the seventh seed, Djokovic faced a tough draw against Alcaraz in the quarterfinal. In a gruelling 3-hour, 37-minute match at Rod Laver Arena, Djokovic rallied from a set down to send a strong message at the year’s first Grand Slam.
With Andy Murray joining his coaching team, Djokovic matched Alcaraz’s energy and power, showcasing his trademark defensive skills during a pivotal third-set rally that shifted the match’s momentum. He previously defeated Alcaraz in the Roland Garros semifinal but lost to him in the 2023 Wimbledon final and another London event before claiming victory in the Paris Olympics final.
Alcaraz, a four-time Grand Slam champion, has faced a challenging period on tour, exiting early at the 2024 US Open and missing the ATP Finals knockout stage after a demanding season.