Injury Scare Overcome: Aussie Open Champ Edges Alcaraz in Thriller

Djokovic leaves court amid injury scare | 00:42

The King of Melbourne Park looked dead. But not for the first time, Novak Djokovic rose again. And the legend’s hopes of a 25th grand slam title remain alive and well after an epic triumph over Carlos Alcaraz early on Wednesday at the Australian Open.

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From appearing a possibility to limp out of Rod Laver Arena in the highly-anticipate quarterfinal against Alcaraz, Djokovic instead delivered a Melbourne masterclass that finished well after midnight when successful 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 in 3hr 37min.

It was the performance of a mental and physical giant, one that is improbable even for someone with the incredible credentials of Djokovic. Yet that is what Djokovic does time and again. That cliche about never writing off a champion? It was penned for Djokovic.

After receiving a medical time out late in a first set he surrendered after an early lead, the 37-year-old returned to Rod Laver Arena with his left thigh bandaged and proceeded to bludgeon the ball from baseline to baseline in one of the finest wins of a legendary career.

Whatever the issue was — and there were times where he audibly groaned when stretching wide — it was not enough to prevent Djokovic from overwhelming a powerhouse opponent 16 years his junior in another thrilling installment of their rivalry.

As John McEnroe noted in commentary as the Serbian superstar as receiving treatment off the court; “This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this routine. Don’t be fooled.”

With three days to recover, it is certain Alexander Zverev will be wise to the likelihood that Djokovic will arrive at Melbourne Park raring for another prize fight having dashed the dreams of the Spanish bull.

After the saga of earlier in the week, when Djokovic boycotted a post-match chat with dual-Australian Open champion Jim Courier in a protest aimed at the host broadcaster, he was happy to discuss the match at length with the American champion early on Wednesday.

But the 10-time Australian Open champion would not divulge exactly what the issue was, only that he had taken pain-killing medication to deal with the issue.

“Since I’m still in the tournament, I don’t want to reveal too much. The medication started to kick in and they helped. I felt better and better and managed to play a great couple of games to end up taking the second set,” Djokovic said.

NCA. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. 19th January 2025. Day 10. Australian Open Tennis at Melbourne Park. Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz on Rod Laver Arena. Novak Djokovic talks with Jim courier after match . Picture: Michael KleinSource: News Corp Australia

As the maestro noted afterwards, the issue may well have worked to his advantage as he felt compelled to swing harder and be more aggressive, at least in the infancy as he waited for the painkillers to kick in, and the onslaught rattled the younger man.

In delaying Alcaraz’s own bid for history in Melbourne — the Spaniard still has a year to become the youngest man to win all four majors — Djokovic has maintained his own tilt at creating yet another record.

It is now 53 years since Ken Rosewall defeated Mal Anderson to win the Australian Open at the age of 37. Should the No.7 seed, whose ball striking was breathtaking on Tuesday night, secure an 11th Australian Open title this week, that record will be his.

And he will also stand alone in the history books as the only player to win 25 grand slam singles titles, taking him beyond the 24 Margaret Court claimed when straddling the amateur and Open era.

Since turning 35, Djokovic has reached eight grand slam semifinals and won each of the majors. He has also won the ATP Tour Finals twice and claimed the sweetest of Olympic golds in Paris last August.

So much for Father Time catching up. He is leaving the grim reaper of sports for dead.

But history can wait, for the performance Djokovic delivered on Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday night is worthy of the highest of praise.

With Andy Murray sitting in his corner, the Serbian superstar went blow for blow with a rival capable of the most explosive power and outhit him time and again. These are the matches he hired the mastermind Murray for and it is no surprise he hugged him afterwards.

Some points were simply extraordinary, with none better than the 33-shot rally between the pair as Djokovic tried to snare a decisive second break in the fourth set. That went begging but few cared.

It was ballistic to see a 37-year-old engaged in a rally as, well, ballistic as this point over three hours in.

His ability to return so deeply, and reduce his rival’s ability to dictate terms when serving, came to the fore again, just as it has in so many of his major triumphs. And if he was going for broke after returning to the court, as the match progressed, it became a battle of attrition.

The most critical factor in his phenomenal win over Alcaraz, his fifth in their eight meetings, was his mental mastery. It was the performance of a mental giant, of mind over matter, of the brain of Djokovic over the brawn of Alcaraz.

Among the many examples, one stands isolated as the moment the all-time legend flexed his muscles against the younger lion.

Serving at 4-3 in the fourth set, one game after the energy-sapping 33-shot rally, Alcaraz held two break points to level.

He had ripped forehand and backhand winners and looked to have found his mind blowing mojo. But Djokovic prevailed, producing under the ultimate pressure, with a serve-and-volley point on the second a surprise card unleashed at the perfect time.

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz acknowledges the spectators as he walks off the court after his defeat to Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in their men’s singles quarterfinal match on day ten of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2025. (Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE —Source: AFP

The dual-Wimbledon champion may not have been at his best. And he did appear tentative at times, something Djokovic cited as a factor in inspiring him to keep pressing onwards against a Spaniard who has now lost his last two AO quarterfinals.

“I saw that Carlos, you know, was hesitant a little bit from the back of the court … and I took my chances and started to feel better, started to move better,” Djokovic said.

But the statistics back the naked eye — the Spaniard struck 50 winners and made only 40 unforced errors — for nor did he play badly either. The result hinged largely on the excellence of Djokovic. The stronger mind prevailed. The King reigns supreme once again.