Djokovic’s Australian Open show of steel sends a message: there’s still more to come | Australian Open 2025

In the latest late-night display of his insatiable resilience and drive, as he once again defied his aging body to deliver another legendary performance, one of the most significant moments of Novak Djokovic’s quarter-final loss to Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open as the Serb clung desperately to his fragile momentum.

While leading set point on his serve at 5-3 in the third set, Djokovic was tossed around the court by Alcaraz chasing a drop shot before stumbling back to the baseline in pursuit of a lob. The frenetic point – and set – ended with Djokovic slipping an angled backhand shot by Alcaraz before putting his hands to his ear as Rod Laver Arena erupted.

As Alcaraz returned to his seat, it appeared for a brief moment that he too was injured. Alcaraz had gone up the right leg of his shorts and was limping around his seat, clutching his right thigh and stealing glances at his team. Alcaraz’s actions were interpreted by some as a reference to his opponent who had spent the last two and a half hours struggling with his body while continuing to perform at the highest level.

Djokovic’s defeat of Alcaraz, the third seed, was a remarkable achievement, another unprecedented success for a 37-year-old who, despite dropping to no. 7 in the rankings continues to find the energy, motivation and sustained high level to keep pushing the new generation. Djokovic had pulled up in the first set with a left thigh injury, and in the second he clearly struggled with his movement. Djokovic later said his painkillers eventually kicked in and they guided him through the rest of the match.

Dramatically finding ways to win while in pain has been a recurring theme in Djokovic’s career. As he reflected on the win, he thought back to his experience at the 2023 Australian Open when he struggled with a hamstring injury and was similarly forced to relentlessly attack his forehand. A year earlier, his torn oblique muscle was the dominant talking point throughout the tournament as he also closed the tournament as champion.

Djokovic’s coach, Andy Murray, who shared countless dramatic matches with the Serb during their rivalry, was offered a different perspective on a familiar sight. These matches have also generated plenty of skepticism over the years, but it’s clear that Djokovic can also just be demonstrative and dramatic on court; when he’s feeling bad and hard done by, he won’t hesitate to let his audience and opponent know it.

However, these moments underscore the mental strength at the heart of Djokovic’s success. No matter what obstacle he faces, Djokovic will find a way to use his adversity to his advantage. When mobs ravage him, their anger becomes his motivation. Against an inspired opponent who performs at their highest level and seemingly hits every line, he will rise to a level above. If he is physically compromised, his limitations often simplify and sharpen his approach, leaving him with no choice but to play bold, offensive tennis and control his nerves. “Honestly, sometimes it helps,” he said afterward.

From the first points of the second set, Djokovic responded to the adversity by taking complete control of the rallies, removing his forehand and playing with significantly more risk than he would otherwise. When Alcaraz put him under pressure, he resolutely held onto his court position from the top of the baseline and refused to relinquish the initiative. He had the audacity to maintain his high level for nearly three hours to the end.

Still only 21 years old, Alcaraz has already pieced together an illustrious career. He is a four-time grand slam champion, having become the youngest man to win major titles on all surfaces. So soon after the era of the three greatest players of all time – Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer – he has still managed to stand out as a unique, one-of-a-kind talent armed with such a complete, varied game. His supreme mental strength is reflected in his 4-0 record in grand slam finals, and he possesses the ability to often find his best tennis in the biggest moments of the most important matches. At his age, he still has plenty of room to grow.

However, this match, like their Olympic final five months ago, highlighted the difference between being a talented, mentally strong player and being a completely possessed winner with a singular killer instinct, a champion willing to go to hell and left for two decades in pursuit of success. It showed what it takes to keep sweeping up major titles for so long.

While Djokovic made the best of his circumstances on Tuesday night, Alcaraz grew passive and nervous under pressure. He spent far too much time thinking about his opponent’s physicality rather than making sure Djokovic paid dearly for trying to tackle him while he struggled physically. During his short time on the professional circuit, Alcaraz has shown that he often learns quickly from his shortcomings, and he left the Australian Open with one of the biggest lessons of his career so far.