Djokovic’s Australian Open show of steel sends a message: there’s still more to come | Tumaini Carayol
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The 37-year-old showed killer instinct against younger rival, a willingness to go to hell and back in pursuit of glory. In the most recent late-night exhibition of his insatiable resilience and desire, as he again belied his ageing body to deliver another legendary performance, one of the most significant moments of Novak Djokovic’s quarter-final defeat of Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open came as the Serb clung desperately on to his frail momentum.
![[Novak Djokovic embraces his coach and former rival Andy Murray after his quarter-final victory.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/f5506504150ee348d3ab8383d63921953e6fe094/0_0_4099_2460/master/4099.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
While leading set point on his serve at 5-3 in the third set, Djokovic was hurled around the court by Alcaraz, chasing down a drop shot before stumbling back to the baseline in pursuit of a lob. The frantic point – and set – ended with Djokovic slipping an angled backhand passing shot by Alcaraz before cupping his hands to his ear while the Rod Laver Arena erupted.
![[Carlos Alcaraz became passive and nervous under pressure.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/5dd26ef9bb7b09ab1e7cb3d47f01c3cf367af672/0_108_5006_3004/master/5006.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
As Alcaraz returned to his seat, it seemed for a brief moment that he was also walking wounded. Alcaraz had hiked up the right leg of his shorts and he had begun to limp around his seat, holding on to his right thigh and stealing glances towards his team. Alcaraz’s actions were interpreted by some as a reference to his opponent, who had spent the past two and a half hours struggling with his body while continuing to perform at the highest level.
Djokovic’s defeat of Alcaraz, the third seed, was a remarkable achievement, another unprecedented success for a 37-year-old who, despite dropping to No 7 in the rankings, continues to find the energy, motivation and sustained high level to keep on pressuring the new generation. Djokovic had pulled up in the first set with a left thigh injury and in the second he was clearly struggling with his movement. Djokovic said later that his painkillers eventually kicked in and they guided him through the rest of the match.
