Author: Richard Pagliaro @Nowtennis | Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Photo credit: Rolex
Rod Laver Arena is a historic crossroads.
One by one Novak Djokovic Seems to be nearing the end of the road as he mounts a stunning rally to crush Carlos Alcaraz Mainly dream and continue your dreams.
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The 37-year-old Serbian superstar overcame an apparent hamstring or groin injury to defeat Alkaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in a wild marathon match for the 12th time Reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
This is Djokovic’s 50th Grand Slam semifinal and he is aiming to win his 100th career title, including a record 25th Grand Slam title.
Alcaraz told Tennis Now last month that his top goal for 2025 is to win the AO and complete the career grand slam.
Djokovic dismissed the dream for now, but gave the 21-year-old Spaniard a lesson in tennis tenacity.
Alcaraz, who won the first set of an important match with a 55-1 record in the rematch of the Olympic final, said after the game that the loss was a lesson in staying strong when facing an opponent who is obviously injured. The importance of intensity.
“Honestly, I felt like I was controlling the game and I got him in the game again,” Alcaraz said. “I would say that was the biggest mistake I made today.
“In the second set I had to play a little better to push him to the limit. Yeah, he found himself having trouble moving a little bit in the second set. I had to push him a little bit more and that was it. limit, but I didn’t do that and I think he started to feel better and played at such a good level, which was my biggest mistake today.
“But obviously, when Novak gets to this level, it’s really difficult. I thought I had a chance. It was a very close game. I think most of the key points fell on his side.”
The reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion once looked at coach Juan Carlos Ferrero and expressed his frustration by limping on his own leg, as if questioning whether his opponent was injured. How serious it must be.
Alcaraz said at the post-match press conference that he was not criticizing Djokovic’s gameplay, but instead pointed to a dramatic shift in the 10-time AO champion’s movements.
“I think everyone saw in the second set that he was having a little difficulty moving,” Alcaraz told media in Melbourne. “I don’t know if it was running to the forehand or running to the backhand, but obviously he was struggling. Then the third set and the fourth set, I didn’t see anything bad about him.
“So I’m not saying, like, he put on a show. I’m just saying, I don’t know. Obviously, everyone saw him struggle in the second set. And then the third and fourth set he Shows that he is really good.
The scene 15 minutes after the end of the game was heartbreaking. The former world No. 1 Andy MurrayDjokovic’s new coach found Alcaraz in the gym and paid tribute to the Spaniard as he recovered from the three-hour, 37-minute fight on an exercise bike.
The four-time Grand Slam champion said he viewed the loss as a lesson and was excited to grow from it.
“I’m playing a really, really good game,” Alcaraz said. “I mean, we pushed each other to the limit. I thought we had great scores, great confrontations. The third set, the fourth set was very tight. I mean, I thought, the whole match Contest.
“I’m lucky to have experienced this. I’m 21 years old. From these games, I gained a lot of experience on how to deal with everything.
“I’m not going to hide it. I’ve achieved great things in tennis, but playing against one of the best players in the history of the sport, this kind of competition will help me a lot to get better in the future.”
