After tough battle with Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic will face Zverev in the Australian Open semifinal but his injury poses serious questions.
Novak Djokovic (via X)
Novak Djokovic faced Carlos Alcaraz today at the quarterfinals of the Australian Open 2025. After an intense battle, Djokovic triumphed over the Spaniard asserting his dominance and longevity in the sport. Following the match he appeared for the brief on court interview.
Djokovic addressed the injury he faced during the match. He reiterated his wish to maintain some privacy regarding the specifics but acknowledged needing medication to manage the pain. He discussed how the medication helped him improve his performance in later sets, raising questions on whether he could have continued if he had lost the second set, after losing the first.
During the quarterfinal match against Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic took a medical timeout at 4-5 down in the first set, just before Alcaraz was set to serve for the set. This pause which addressed a suspected groin injury drew mixed reactions from people. Some criticized Djokovic’s timing, suggesting it was a tactical move to disrupt Alcaraz’s momentum.
The Serb had also taken a medical timeout in an earlier round of the tournament. In the third round against Tomas Machac, he appeared exhausted at times, and faced breathing difficulties necessitating a medical timeout.
Despite losing the first set 4-6 to Alcaraz today, Djokovic demonstrated remarkable resilience to secure the next three sets 6-4, 6-3, 6-4. This grueling match at the Rod Laver Arena lasted 3 hours and 37 minutes. This triumph puts the head to head record between the Serb and the Spaniard to 5-3.
After today’s victory, Novak Djokovic advanced to the 50th Grand Slam semifinal of his career. In the next round, he will face second seed Alexander Zverev.
Novak Djokovic under the guidance of his former rival turned coach, Andy Murray is aiming for a record 11th Australian Open title. Should he win this Grand Slam, it would be not only his 100th career title but also an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title.
World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz was meanwhile eyeing to be the youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam with this tournament. The present record for this feat is held by Rafael Nadal who accomplished it by clinching the US Open 2010 title at the age of 24. However, Alcaraz still has two more years to achieve this feat until he turns 24 in 2027.
