Australian Open 2025: Why Novak Djokovic must ‘raise his game’ against Carlos Alcaraz in Melbourne

Djokovic triumphed when the pair last played – in the Paris 2024 Olympics final – but Alcaraz has won their past two meetings at a Grand Slam tournament.

Alcaraz outlasted Djokovic over five sets in the 2023 Wimbledon final before demolishing his out-of-sorts opponent, who had knee surgery less than six weeks before, to retain the All England Club title last year.

Djokovic avenged those losses on faster grass courts by landing Olympic gold, a high-octane performance over three sets on the slower Roland Garros clay earning him a 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-2) win.

“Carlos is a very dynamic, explosive player. Incredibly talented and a charismatic player,” said Djokovic, who has won a record 24 Grand Slam men’s titles.

“We’ve had some long battles, long exchange kind of matches. They remind me of my match-ups against [Rafael] Nadal in terms of the intensity and the energy on the court.”

Djokovic knows he is likely to need the same intensity over five sets on the quick Melbourne surface.

The most eagerly-anticipated match of the Australian Open so far will be the first time they have played at a hard court major.

“It is not often that Djokovic is an underdog in Melbourne, it’s probably been 15 years since he was,” added Australian Cash.