The 37-year-old showed killer instinct against younger rival, a willingness to go to hell and back in pursuit of glory
In the most recent late-night exhibition of his insatiable resilience and desire, as he again belied his ageing body to deliver another legendary performance, one of the most significant moments of Novak Djokovic’s quarter-final defeat of Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open came as the Serb clung on desperately to his frail momentum.
With a set point on his serve at 5-3 in the third set, Djokovic was hurled around the court by Alcaraz, chasing down a drop shot before stumbling back to the baseline in pursuit of a lob. The frantic point – and set – ended with Djokovic slipping an angled backhand passing shot by Alcaraz before cupping his hands to his ear while the Rod Laver Arena erupted.
Written by Tumaini Carayol at Melbourne Park
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jan/22/novak-djokovic-show-of-steel-australian-open-tennis-more-to-come under the title “Djokovic’s Australian Open show of steel sends a message: there’s still more to come | Tumaini Carayol”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
