Australian Open 2025: Why Novak Djokovic must ‘raise his game’ against Carlos Alcaraz in Melbourne
Djokovic won when the pair last played in the Paris 2024 Olympics final – but Alcaraz has won their last two meetings at Grand Slam tournaments.
Alcaraz defeated Djokovic in five sets to reach the 2023 Wimbledon final, then defeated his poor opponent, who had knee surgery less than six weeks earlier, to retain the All England Club title last year.
Djokovic avenged those losses on fast grass courts by winning Olympic gold, a high-octane performance on slow Roland Garros clay saw him win 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-2).
“Carlos is a very dynamic, explosive player. Incredibly talented and a charismatic player,” said Djokovic, who has won a record 24 Grand Slam men’s titles.
“We’ve had some long battles, long exchanges of matches. They remind me of my match-ups against (Rafael) Nadal in terms of intensity and energy on the court.”
Djokovic knows he will need the same intensity across five sets on Melbourne’s fast pitch.
The most eagerly awaited match of the Australian Open so far will be the first time they will play in a hard court major.
Australian Cash said, “It’s not often that Djokovic is in a vulnerable position in Melbourne, it’s probably been 15 years since he’s been in that position.”
