Novak Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz in four sets to advance to the semi-finals of the 2025 Australian Open.
Two of the biggest names on the ATP Tour met in a blockbuster clash on Tuesday, as the Spaniard crashed out of the competition.
Djokovic beat Alcaraz, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4, as the Serb booked his spot in the last four where he’ll take on Germany’s Alexander Zverev.
The 2025 Australian Open is the first tournament where Djokovic and Andy Murray have worked together since the latter joined the Serb’s coaching team during the off-season.
Having retired from tennis in 2024, Murray has become an integral member of Djokovic’s coaching set-up, helping him reach the last four in Melbourne.
Always classy, Murray showed once more why he is so highly regarded in the tennis world after Djokovic’s latest win at the Australian Open.
Following his defeat to Djokovic, Alcaraz was warming down in the Australian Open gym, when he was consoled by the British star.
Murray can be seen shaking Alcaraz’s hand as he warms down on the bike, smiling just minutes after such a heart-breaking defeat.
The incident is yet another indicator of the professionalism and respect that Murray has, a valuable asset for any player on the ATP Tour.
Speaking after his win over Alcaraz, Djokovic praised new coach Murray for how he’s applied himself since joining the team.
“I feel more and more connected with Andy [Murray] every day,” he said.
“We face challenges every single day, people don’t see that obviously.
“I mean, we try to make the most out of every day and grow together, he’s been as committed to my career and this tournament as he can be.”
Djokovic went over to embrace Murray after securing the win and explained why he decided to do so.
“So it was kind of a, yeah, gesture of appreciation, respect for him, and the fact that he’s out there, and he doesn’t need to be,” said Djokovic.
“He accepted to work with me, he’s giving all his support to me, to the whole team, and trying to make it work.
“This was a huge win for all of us, including Andy and myself, you know, for the relationship.
“Yeah, that’s why I went to him, because I just felt very grateful that he’s there.”
Murray and Djokovic may now be working together to achieve great things in Melbourne Park, but it’s not too long ago that the pair were fiercely battling it out on Rod Laver Arena.
The pair faced off five times in Australia, with the Serbian star enjoying some serious dominance over his new coach.
Djokovic won all five meetings with Murray in Melbourne, four of which came in Grand Slam finals.
Perhaps the toughest of which came in the last four, back in 2012, as Murray fell short in a five-set classic on Rod Laver Arena.
With Tuesday’s quarter-final defeat, Alcaraz felt the wrath of Djokovic in Melbourne for the first time, as he lost to the Serb in four sets.
Alcaraz and Murray now trail Murray a combined 0-6, at the Australian Open, a number that the Brit ironically will be hoping to see increase, as his new coaching partnership develops.
Djokovic will return to the court to take on Zverev on Friday, January 24.
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