Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic put on a stunning show at the Rod Laver Arena today. Both players, having wrapped the 2024 season on a modest note, arrived in Melbourne for the season-opening Slam. As they looked to register a feat of their own, with the Serb on a quest to earn his record-extending 11th Australian Open title and Alcaraz finding a way to win his maiden ‘Happy Slam,’ a thrilling atmosphere engulfed the Rod Laver Arena as they kicked off their quarterfinal contest. However, it wasn’t long before trouble arrived.

Alcaraz broke the Serbian star’s service on 4-4 to gain a 5-4 lead. But before he could serve for the set, Djokovic requested a medical timeout after a grueling point during the play seemingly cramped him. He was seen growling and stretching moments before the medical team arrived and walked him off the court. Meanwhile, the Spaniard waited on his bench, knowing that the set would fall on his racket. Subsequently, he won the opening set.

But, that was all the set-winning Alcaraz reserved for fans on Tuesday. Djokovic proceeded to clinch the second and third set to gain a notable lead. However, as soon as Djokovic bagged the third set, Alcaraz seemed to be struggling with cramps. However, one of the ESPN comms thought otherwise.

According to commentator and American player Christopher Eubanks, young Carlitos was mimicking Djokovic, whose medical break prompted fans to opine that it was a mere ‘stunt’ to disrupt his rival’s momentum.

“He’s kind of limping around. Then he gets up & does it again. Limping around & sitting down. He’s obviously fine. Just acting like he’s got an injury. He’s being Novak,” said Eubanks.

That’s beside the point. Djokovic breezed past the young Spaniard to make way for his 50th Slam semifinal after a riveting four-set showcase at Melbourne Park.

Novak Djokovic hilariously remarks on ‘final’ match wish following intense battle against Carlos Alcaraz in Melbourne

Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic, 37, is doing pretty well against youngsters like Carlos Alcaraz but at the end of the day, he is a human still. The exhausting match-ups drain him like everyone else and after winning his QF showdown against Alcaraz, he hilariously wished that this match was the event’s title decider.

He said, “I just wish that this match today was the finals. My utmost respect and admiration for Carlos and everything he stands for and what he has achieved so far in his young career. What a terrific guy he is and an even better competitor. Youngest ever No. 1 in the world. He’s going to be there for sure, longer than me.”

For those unaware, Djokovic and Alcaraz met on two different occasions last year. First came the Spaniard’s second consecutive win against Nole at Wimbledon and later, Djokovic exacted revenge on him at the Paris Olympics where he won the elusive gold medal for the first time in his illustrious career.

Next up, Djokovic will lock horns with German Alexander ‘Sascha’ Zverev for a place in the event’s summit clash on Friday, January 24.