The clash between the new and the old is captivating. Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are battling for a spot in the Australian Open semifinals, and the stakes rise with every point. Alcaraz, maintaining his composure, delivers fierce shots, while Djokovic struggles under pressure. This match is crucial for him; it’s his chance to win a record 25th Grand Slam title.

Alcaraz clinched the first set 6-4, but Djokovic made a strong comeback, taking the second set 6-4 and the third 6-3. As they entered the fourth set, Alcaraz continued to dominate, winning points consistently. A stunning rally went Djokovic’s way, yet Alcaraz held his serve. After a pumped-up celebration from Alcaraz, Djokovic led 4-3. However, he seemed frustrated, shouting at something off-camera.

The moment was captured by the Australian Open’s social media, stating, “STOP IT, YOU TWO 🤯 Tennis from another planet between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz! 👏” It seemed Djokovic probably yelled at distracting fans. Meanwhile, Andy Murray remained poker-faced, as he watched on.

Ultimately, Djokovic pulled off a remarkable comeback to clinch the final set. After facing a 0-30 deficit, he showcased his skill and determination, turning the tide in his favor. With a flurry of impressive shots, he took control of the match and pushed his lead to 5-3 in the fourth set.

With this win, Nole is one step closer to his coveted 25th Grand Slam title. Last year, he faced a tough loss against current World No. 1 Jannik Sinner. But this time, he’s got coach Murray in his corner, and it seems like their partnership is really paying off.

Even though Andy’s been pretty stoic in his coaching pod, there’s no doubt he must be thrilled to see Novak advancing. Especially when this is a win for his coaching status, even though he mentioned that training Novak is quite “demanding.”

Murray faces the music of taking Djokovic under his wing

Coaching a legend like Novak Djokovic, with 24 Grand Slams and 99 singles titles, is no small task, and Andy Murray is learning that firsthand. After retiring last August during the Paris Olympics, Murray surprised everyone by teaming up with Djokovic for the 2025 Australian Open. So far, the partnership seems to be working, with Novak now in the final four. But their dynamic raised eyebrows as the tournament kicked in. After Djokovic’s first-round win against 19-year-old Nishesh Basavareddy, ex-Aussie player Paul McNamee noticed Nole avoiding his coach courtside, even choosing not to place his towel near him. Interesting, right?

However, for Murray, it’s all about pushing his trainee to new heights. The Brit is clearly impressed by Djokovic’s potential. “These next couple of years, I think he maybe already has a legitimate claim to be the best athlete of all time,” Murray said. “But I think if he can go out as a 38, 39-year-old and win more slams and beat Alcaraz and (Jannik) Sinner in big matches, he’s got a claim to be the best athlete of all time.”

Coaching hasn’t been easy, though. Speaking to SkySports on January 12, he admitted it’s “a little bit more demanding than I expected” and explained how much more goes into coaching than just what happens on the court. Could that explain his emotionless expression during his match against Alcaraz during the quarters? Only Andy can answer that.

Djokovic, meanwhile, is gearing up for another tough challenge against Zverev. The stakes couldn’t be higher as he chases his 25th Grand Slam title. Can Novak pull off another stunning victory? Share your thoughts in the comments below!