At this stage of Novak Djokovic'scareer, it's all about remaining competitive on the notable scene! The Serb has not played well after the Australian Open, overcoming a hamstring injury but suffering early losses in Doha and Indian Wells.
However, Novak's fire still burns at 37 and everything he has achieved over the previous two decades. The reason? His motivation to keep pushing and earn more victories like the one against Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open!
Djokovic's most high-profile victory of the season came in the quarter-final in Melbourne. The Serb met world no. 3 Carlos Alcaraz and prevailed 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in three hours and 37 minutes despite injuring his left leg.
Novak gave everything to emerge at the top, outplaying the young gun and becoming the third-oldest player to beat a top-3 player at Majors in the Open era. He joined Ken Rosewall and Roger Federer on the exclusive list and generated another nice milestone.
The veteran injured his left leg in the opening set and received a medical timeout after the ninth game. Carlos claimed the opener and looked like the favorite to reach the semi-final. However, Novak recovered his game and brought a notable victory home.
The Serb claimed nine points more than the Spaniard and kept his composure in the pivotal moments. Alcaraz fired 50 winners but sprayed 40 unforced errors, often in the crucial moments. Djokovic gave serve away four times.
He responded with six breaks on his tally, overcoming all the challenges and moving into his 12th Australian Open semi-final. They traded early breaks in the opener, and Alcaraz grabbed another at 4-4 after Djokovic's forehand mistake.
The veteran received a medical timeout for his troubled leg and dropped the opener when his rival held at love in game ten. Novak stepped in and forged a 3-0 lead in the second set. Carlos pulled the break back in game five and saved two break points in the next one for 3-3.
Djokovic made a push on the return at 5-4 and broke his rival at love with a backhand down the line return winner, leveling the overall score and gaining a massive boost. The Spaniard experienced a break in the sixth game of the third set after a wayward backhand.
He erased the deficit in the next one and added more drama. Novak used his vast experience and stayed focused. The ten-time winner painted a forehand winner in the eighth game for a break and a 5-3advantage.
Djokovic held in game nine from 0-30, unleashing a massive roar and moving two sets to one in front. Novak broke at the beginning of the fourth set and denied a break point at 2-1 to stay in front. Alcaraz denied a break point in game seven after a 36-stroke exchange and remained in touch.
Carlos wasted two break points in the eighth game that could have turned the tables. Novak clinched it with a forehand winner and opened a 5-3 advantage. The veteran served for the win at 5-4 and caused the rival's mistake.
Thus, he sealedthe deal andbecamethe third-oldest player with a top-3 win at Majors.
"It's still encouraging to experience how I played in Australia. I can still beat the rivals like Carlos Alcaraz. That's the biggest reason I keep pushing and motivating myself - I know I still have it in my legs, hands and arms.
I can still provide the level of tennis that can put me in a good position to win notable titles," Novak Djokovic said.
