Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz Preview & Prediction | 2025 Australian Open | Quarter-Final

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This quarter-final is an eighth career meeting between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, and the crowd on Rod Laver could be in for a treat between the ten-time champion and a man seeking the career Grand Slam.

Start date/time: Tuesday 21st January, 2025, UK – not before 9:10am / US ET – not before 4:10am / US PT – not before 1:10am

Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia

Surface: Outdoor hard

How to watch on TV: UK – Eurosport / US – ESPN+

How to watch online: UK – Eurosport website & discovery+ / US – ESPN+ platforms

Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz ticket information

Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz Prediction

There can’t be many more of these blockbuster matches between 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and current ‘world’s best’ contender Carlos Alcaraz left, but if previous meetings are anything to go by then it promises to be another memorable contest.

Much of the talk around Djokovic in the last couple of days has not been centred on his progress through the draw though, with headlines instead focusing on his feud with Australian broadcaster Channel Nine which resulted in the Serb refusing to give an on-court interview in the aftermath of his round of 16 victory over Jiri Lehecka. There will be some concern amongst Novak's fans that this uncomfortable situation may distract him from the task at hand here, but the 37-year-old is notoriously headstrong and will be fired up and locked in for this clash with one of the few men who can stop him winning a 25th major.

When it comes to his form, it has been business as usual for the ten-time champion, who has grown into the tournament and looked increasingly comfortable in a venue where he has enjoyed so much success in the past.

World number three Carlos Alcaraz has looked similarly impressive as he continues his bid to win the one Grand Slam that has so far eluded him in his young career.

The Spaniard has dropped only one set so far in Melbourne – a tie-break against Nuno Borges in the third round – and had won the first two sets against Jack Draper in the round of 16 before the Brit retired through injury; the energy conserved on that match will surely serve Alcaraz well here.

Djokovic leads the head-to-head 4-3, with both players winning a match apiece last year, but this is only their second meeting on outdoor hard courts. Crucially, they haven’t faced each other on such a surface since 2023, and although Djokovic won on that occasion – as well as in an indoor hard-court contest later that year – his powers have waned a little since then, while Alcaraz’ have only increased.

Such is his aura on Rod Laver Arena, Djokovic will not go down without a fight on a court where he has produced some of the greatest moments of his career, and few would be surprised if he was to defeat Alcaraz, but we’re backing the younger player to outlast the legend here in a match which should involve at least four sets.

Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz Tip: Carlos Alcaraz to win and both players to win a set