Novak Djokovic admitted he was concerned about his physical state but his motivation to win an 11th Australian Open title was on full display in a brilliant victory over Carlos Alcaraz.
The 37-year-old recovered from a set down after sustaining a left leg injury to claim a 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 triumph at 12.57am and advance to a 50th grand slam semi-final, describing it afterwards as “one of the most epic matches I’ve played on this court”.
“I just wish this match today was the final,” said Djokovic, who must try to recover for a clash with second seed Alexander Zverev on Friday.
DJOKOVIC. DEFEATS. ALCARAZ.@DjokerNole produces a stunning display to take down Alcaraz 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4! pic.twitter.com/htKuULo1eJ
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 21, 2025
He crouched down, winced and shook his head towards his team after losing a long rally at 15-15 in the ninth game of the opening set, dropping serve and then heading off court for a medical timeout.
Djokovic returned with his left thigh strapped and appeared physically compromised for a spell, limping between points, but Alcaraz could not press home his advantage after winning the first set and his opponent roared back.
“I have to assess the situation tomorrow when I wake up,” said Djokovic, who likened the injury to a hamstring tear he had in 2023, which did not stop him winning the tournament.
“I will try to do as much as I possibly can with my recovery team, with my physio, today, tomorrow, the next few days. Probably skip training tomorrow. I’ll see if I’m going to train in two days or not.
“I’ll take it day by day. Now it’s really about recovery. I’m concerned. I am, to be honest, physically. But, if I manage somehow to be physically good enough, I think mentally, emotionally, I’m as motivated as I can be.
“I’m just pleased with the way I was able to play throughout the entire tournament, including tonight, against one of the best players, one of the two or three best players in the word in the last three, four years. It’s just a great win. I’m very proud of it.”
After Alcaraz’s final backhand hit the net, Djokovic roared in celebration towards his coach Andy Murray before hugging his former rival.
“I feel more and more connected with Andy every day,” said the Serbian. “We face challenges every single day. People don’t see that, obviously.
SPEECHLESS.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2025
Novak Djokovic secures the third set. No words.@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/ghJD0bKGfc
“We try to make the most out of every day and grow together. He’s been as committed to my career and this tournament as he can be.
“So it was kind of a gesture of appreciation, respect for him and the fact that he’s out there, and he doesn’t need to be.
“He accepted to work with me. He’s giving all his support to me, to the whole team and trying to make it work.
“This was a huge win for all of us, including Andy and myself, for the relationship. That’s why I went to him, because I just felt very grateful that he’s there.”
Alcaraz trailed 3-4 in the head-to-head and had lost their last meeting in the Olympic final, but he felt like a solid favourite on age, form and having defeated his rival in back-to-back Wimbledon deciders.
He had never beaten Djokovic on hard courts, though – nor made it past the quarter-finals here – and the Serbian used all his experience of successful nights past on Rod Laver Arena to befuddle Alcaraz.
In truth, the quality of the contest was patchy, with both men making nervy starts and errors aplenty.
But it had a spectacular denouement as Alcaraz tried to fight his way back in the fourth set, with Djokovic repelling his young rival in a series of lung-busting exchanges.
Alcaraz saved a break point at 2-4 in a 33-shot rally that left both men barely able to stand but, as he so often has on this stage, Djokovic ultimately had the answers.
Alcaraz was left ruing his performance in the second set, saying: “I felt like I was controlling the match and I let him get into the match again. I’m going to say that was the biggest mistake that I made today.
“In the second set I had to play a little bit better, just to push him even more to the limit. After that I think he started to feel better and playing such a great level.”
He refused to be too downhearted, though, adding: “I’m just lucky to live this experience. I’m 21 years old. From these matches I’m getting so much experience about how to deal with everything.”
Earlier, Zverev reached his third Australian Open semi-final with a 7-6 (1) 7-6 (0) 2-6 6-1 win over American Tommy Paul, who served for the first and second sets.
