It's no secret that fans and insiders expected a better result from Carlos Alcaraz at the 2025 Australian Open. The young Spanish ace was defeated by a legend like Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals, proving once again that he has no particular feeling with the Happy Slam, as well as having revealed his usual weaknesses.
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The 21-year-old from Murcia had won the first set against the ten-time champion of this tournament and was in control of the situation, also helped by the injury to the left thigh suffered by Nole. Suddenly, the 4-time Grand Slam champion lost concentration due to Djokovic's physical problem and has enough of his level allowing his opponent to overturn the momentum of the match.
The current world number 3 began to make more and more unforced errors, while the Serbian gained more confidence and used his experience to prevail in four sets. Carlitos was never able to change tactics during the match and showed that he still has a lot of work to do on the mental side.
Alcaraz still has weaknesses
Recently, Italian legend Adriano Panatta took a shot at Alcaraz for the way he lost to Djokovic in Melbourne: Mentally Djokovic crushes anyone, the other one took the bait with all his boots. Novak is a great champion, phenomenal, nice or unpleasant, its subjective.
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But even a set tied, with Djokovic, he can no longer lose. He can no longer afford to lose against Novak. He was defeated in Paris two out of three but it was something special, a final on clay at the Olympics.
Three out of five, Alcaraz must be at a level that he should no longer be beaten by Nole.
The Spanish ace will be back in action in Rotterdam next week, a very prestigious tournament in which he will participate for the first time in his career.
The 21-year-old from Murcia will also play the Doha ATP 500 before the Masters 1000 in Indian Wells and Miami.
At the beginning of March, the former world number 1 will face Frances Tiafoe in an exhibition match in Puerto Rico.
