And so the most awaited and anticipated match for the2025 Australian Open happened on Tuesday at the Rod Laver Arena. A match many pundits considered as the finals but have to occur on the quarters instead. A match between two stars with contrasting personalities, between power and precision, about an old guard and young gun, a match made in heaven for seventh seed Novak Djokovicand No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz.
Let’s get ready to rumble.
Novak took the first serve for the evening and boringly won. Novak however deviate from the script and took the first blood when he broke Carlos serve in the second game that gave him and early 2-0 lead. Uncharacteristic to a slow starting Novac but Carlos fought back to level the score on succeeding games. The fight is dead even at this stage as the matadors on the ring showed their vast arsenal of shots to the delight of the crowd.
The match was even until the drop shot of Alcaraz on the 9th game of first set with the score even at 4-4. Novakstretched his left leg too far and momentarily stopped for a while, bowed his head and showed some grimace on his face. He felt his left hamstring, looked at the coach box where Andy Murray sat and shook his head with a worried look. His serve was broken by Carlos for a 5-4 lead and eventually the young Spaniard finished the set 6-4.
Novak immediately had a medical break and came back later with a visible tape on the upper part of his left thigh.
I believe at this stage that the match has been decided. An injured player has no chance against a well-conditionedopponent. But the old vintage Novak showed again hisbrilliancy by taking the first two games of the second set for a 2-0 lead that caught Carlos by surprise. As expected Carlos initiated wide variety of shots to keep Novak on the run to the latter’s disadvantage. Alternating drop shots to lob shots and hitting deep down the line shots to wear him down but surprisingly Novak was ready for the challenge and to everyone’s surprise Novak took the second set 6-4.
Carlos became tentative and lost his concentration with the renewed intensity and grit showed by the veteran Novak. Novak found his second wind and convincingly took the third set and led the match entering the fourth set.
The fourth set is an all Novak show. He didn’t show any effects of the injury and instead of slowing down, Novakincreased the tempo of the game and despite some long rallies that reached at one time 33 exchange of shots, hetook control of the game.
The usual drama that Novak showed in his game was there. From his antics towards the crowd which normally elicit varied reactions, his occasional show of tantrums to his coaching staff and his intense reaction whenever he scored a great point. But his respect to his young Spaniard opponent was evident. He claps or point his finger to the young Carlos every time the later made a successful drop shot or a missile liked forehand passing shot.
I was expecting a Carlo Caparas sort of ending for this tennis saga, in reference to the great action movie Filipino movie director. A drama filled action thriller for the quarterfinal encounter. A five set match ending with a tie breaker but instead it ended with less fanfare. It wasinetead an exhibition of grit and perseverance of a veteran Novak compared to the rawness of emotion and power of a young gun. Carlos’ time will come in the future slams.
For now, Novak has two days’ rest to lick his wounds. Torecover and let his injury heal. What worries me at this stage after the game is not the injury or prospect of Novaknot showing up in his battle for semis with second seed Alex Zverev.
It’s already past 1am in the morning and I wonder if going home are there still available bus or train running.
