And many people have. Djokovic was yet to play fourth-round opponent Jiri Lehecka when Alcaraz fronted the press following his match with Draper on Sunday, but nearly all the questions from journalists pertained to a potential quarterfinal between the famous pair.

“I think he’s the player who has the most quarterfinals in a Grand Slam in history, if I’m not wrong,” Alcaraz said.

“Obviously he has experience but when we are seeing him playing, he seems like he’s young again, so it’s unbelievable. He’s in a really good shape.

“In a quarterfinal, I’ve been in this position a few times already so I don’t know how the experience, or getting more experience in that situation, it’s important, but I don’t think it’s going to take advantage on it. I’m just ready and I know what I have to do in quarterfinals.” 

Djokovic isn’t the only player Alcaraz has weighed in on during the tournament. Reporters have asked him to comment on a bunch of rising stars including Brazilian compatriot Joao Fonseca, before the 18-year-old bowed out, Jakub Mensik and Learner Tien. Defining what ‘youth’ is in tennis is getting trickier.

“They have a lot of potential. I mean, I’m talking like I’m 30 years old. I’m just two years older than them,” he quipped. “What advice? Not beat me, I guess.”

In Alcaraz, Djokovic has a dangerous opponent who is not one but both sides of the coin – young and experienced – as victories at the US Open, Roland Garros, and two Wimbledon titles attest.

Australian Alex de Minaur, who remains in contention for his career-first Grand Slam triumph, attributes experience to his rise into the top 10.

“For me now, I’ve been in this position, I know what I need to do. I know that the early rounds, it’s all about getting through no matter how. Whether it’s pretty, whether it’s not, whether you’re playing amazing tennis, or can’t find the court,” De Minaur said.

“Ultimately the only thing that counts is getting over the line and winning that last point. If you can do your best to conserve energy and not play long matches, then that’s going to be very nice to you and your body as the tournament goes along. That’s been my main focus – get in, do what I need to do, get out if I can.”

However, the 25-year-old also concurs with the likes of world No.4 Taylor Fritz, who Monfils sent packing, that the power of youth is playing without fear.

“You have the experienced player who has been there, knows what to do in probably key moments. Then you’ve got the new player, he’s full of energy,” he said.