Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz: Four Unforgettable Battles

Ahead of Sunday’s Australian Open final, Novak Djokovic leads Carlos Alcaraz 5-4 in their head-to-head matches. Here’s a look at four key moments in their rivalry:Melbourne 2025Djokovic and Alcaraz met for the first time in Melbourne during the 2025 quarter-finals. Djokovic lost the first set and suffered a torn thigh muscle but won 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 after more than three and a half hours. "Just one of the most epic matches I have played on this court, any court really," said Djokovic, who was "concerned" about his injury and forced to retire after one set in the semi-finals against Zverev.Alcaraz later defeated Djokovic in the US Open semi-finals 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 on his way to his sixth major title.Paris 2024After withdrawing from the Roland Garros quarter-finals with a knee injury, Djokovic returned to Paris to win Olympic gold, the only major title missing from his record.He beat Alcaraz 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/2) in the final.Djokovic said,"This is probably the biggest sporting success I have ever had and the most special feeling," aid the winner, after shedding a few tears."In a way losing heavily to Alcaraz at Wimbledon probably worked in my favour as I knew I couldn't play any worse than that."Wimbledon 2023After losing to Djokovic in the 2023 Roland Garros semi-finals, Alcaraz faced him in the Wimbledon final.He won 1-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 to claim his second major.Alcaraz said, "Beating Novak at his best, in this stage, making history, being the guy to beat him after 10 years unbeaten on that court,It's something that I will never forget," said the right-hander from Murcia, the only player to beat Djokovic in a Grand Slam in 2023."It's great for the new generation, as well, I think to see me beating him and making them think that they are capable to do it, as well," added Alcaraz, who would again beat Djokovic, who had just returned from injury, in the 2024 Wimbledon final.Madrid 2022Alcaraz faced Djokovic for the first time in the semi-finals of the Madrid Masters. Djokovic was world No. 1, while the 19-year-old Spaniard was ranked ninth, having just beaten Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals. Alcaraz won 6-7 (5/7), 7-5, 7-6 (7/5) and went on to beat Alexander Zverev in the final."There are eight players ahead of me before I can become the best player in the world," proclaimed the ambitious Spaniard after his victory over Djokovic.Four months later, he won his first Grand Slam at the US Open and became the youngest world No. 1 since the ATP rankings began in 1973.