Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz renew their epic rivalry in the Australian Open quarter-finals, with grand slam history on the line in Melbourne.
Djokovic and Alcaraz are used to meeting in major finals, such as the Olympics gold medal match and past two Wimbledon showpieces, but a quarter-final clash is their earliest ever meeting. Djokovic, the seventh seed, defeated Alcaraz in a thrilling Olympics final last year but the young Spaniard has won both of their previous matches at the grand slams, the latest a dominant victory in last summer’s Wimbledon final.
At 37, Djokovic is bidding to win a 25th grand slam and 100th career title this month, and the Serbian was caught up in a storm when boycotting a post-match interview and demanding an apology from host broadcaster Channel 9 over “insulting and offensive” comments towards him from presenter Tony Jones. Djokovic has received his apology, but the controversy may add an extra edge to the contest.
Alcaraz, at 21, is bidding to become the youngest man to complete the career grand slam, as the entertaining third seed bids to win the Australian Open for the first time. Follow live updates from Djokovic v Alcaraz in our live blog below.
Australian Open order of play – Tuesday 21 January
Rod Laver Arena – (all times UK/GMT)
Coco Gauff vs Paula Badosa
Tommy Paul vs Alexander Zverev
From 8am: Aryna Sabalenka vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Followed by: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz
Jamie Braidwood21 January 2025 07:02
When is Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz?
The match has been scheduled last on Rod Laver Arena, and will follow the women’s quarter-final between Aryna Sabalenka and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
The night session on Rod Laver Arena begins at 8am GMT, so Djokovic and Alcaraz could expect to take the court at around 9:30am. However, it could be slightly earlier or later depending on the previous match involving Sabalenka.
Jamie Braidwood21 January 2025 07:01
Good morning
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz renew their epic rivalry in a blockbuster Australian Open quarter-final clash in Melbourne.
Djokovic, 37, and Alcaraz, 21, meet for an eighth time, in their first match since the Serbian’s historic victory in the Olympic final at Roland Garros last summer.
Djokovic is bidding to become the oldest grand slam champion of all time as he targets a 25th title in Melbourne.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, can become the youngest man to complete the career grand slam if he goes all the way.
The Spaniard has triumphed in their last two matches at the grand slam level, which both came in Wimbledon finals.
Follow for all the build-up ahead of a blockbuster Australian Open quarter-final
Jamie Braidwood21 January 2025 06:59
