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In the immediate aftermath of the unforgettable gold-medal match between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Olympics last year, after two brutal sets of the highest quality and intensity, emotions flowed freely on both sides of the court. Djokovic collapsed on to the ground, his body shaking as he sobbed into the clay, while tears flowed from Alcaraz’s eyes as he was forced to abort his post-match interview. At the same time that Djokovic was digesting the crowning achievement of his unparalleled career, Alcaraz initially believed he had let his entire country down.
With 17 years separating two players at completely different points of their careers, there was a chance that they could have missed each other. Instead, thanks to their historic precocity and longevity respectively, the rivalry that has developed between the pair, the oldest and youngest No 1 players in the history of tennis, is different to any match-up the sport has seen.
They have already contested numerous significant matches and played important roles in each other’s career. On Tuesday they will battle for an eighth time and at their third grand slam tournament with a place in the Australian Open semi-finals on the line.
Of the seven meetings the pair have contested, a series Djokovic leads 4-3, their match-ups include Alcaraz’s dramatic win in their first battle three years ago in Madrid, a tense five-set 2023 Wimbledon final win for Alcaraz followed by an battle of the highest intensity in Cincinnati months later, another match that reduced Alcaraz to tears on-court.
While Djokovic’s Olympics victory provided him with the last elusive major trophy, their 2023 match at the French Open, which ended with Alcaraz badly cramping due to nerves, was an essential experience for Alcaraz to become the incredible big match player he is today.
Two years on, Alcaraz has grown and matured with both his success on the court and by living life away from it. He looked forward to the coming meeting, which at just the quarter-final stage will look different to the significant finals they have enjoyed in recent years.
“If I think about everything he has done in tennis, I couldn’t play,” Alcaraz said. “Twenty-four grand slam [titles], the most weeks at No 1, everything. He almost broke every record in tennis. I’m trying not to think about that when I’m in the match. I’m just trying that I’m able to beat him. I know my weapons. I know that I’m able to play good tennis against him, I’m able to beat him. That’s all I’m thinking when I’m facing him. I think every player or the best players thinks when they are facing Novak, just playing and believing in their selves.”
Having met as the top two seeds in their past five matches, this early encounter is primarily a consequence of Djokovic’s difficult 2024 season outside of the Olympics, which awards no ATP points, and his low seeding of 7th. Despite his struggles last year, though, and his difficulties during his early four-set wins against the youngsters Nishesh Basavareddy and Jaime Faria, his level has increased significantly against tougher opposition. After his straight-sets wins against Tomas Machac and Jiri Lehecka, two talented young Czech players seeded 26th and 24th respectively, Djokovic declared himself happy with his level and form ahead of Alcaraz.
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“I think the last two matches have been really high level,” Djokovic said. “Lehecka won a tournament in the first week of the season. He’s been feeling the ball great. It was a great matchup for me prior to Alcaraz. Of course, I wasn’t thinking about Alcaraz before winning this match, which again I didn’t see myself as a clear ffavourite.
“I’m really glad to be able to beat both Machac and Lehecka in straight sets. That encourages me to believe I can win against any opponent really on a good day when I’m feeling my best. That’s what I’m trying to focus on, my game, recovery, making sure that I’m ready for whatever awaits me on Tuesday.”
Two weeks ago, as Djokovic navigated his first on-site tournament practice with Andy Murray as his coach, Alcaraz was Djokovic’s opponent. On a near-empty Margaret Court Arena, the pair tussled for a friendly set. Although the points were intense, the rest of their interactions were not; when the ball bounced close to the line, both players happily gave the point to their opponent, they shared frequent jokes and nobody took the score to heart. On Tuesday night in Melbourne, though, both players will battle as if it is their last.
