Novak Djokovic battles through injury to upset Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling Australian Open quarter-final... as coach Andy Murray watches on
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Give Andy the Erling Haaland nine-and-a-half-year deal, Novak. While you’re at it give him the freedom of Belgrade and the Order of the Republic of Serbia, too. Under the eye of his new coach, Djokovic earned one of the most titanic and unlikely victories of his career, beating Carlos Alcaraz despite sustaining what appeared to be a groin injury in the first set. He won 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 and will face No2 seed Alexander Zverev on Friday for a place in his 11th Australian Open final.
![[Djokovic's new coach - and former rival - Andy Murray watched on at the Rod Laver Arena]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/21/14/94348779-14309051-image-a-2_1737469433182.jpg)
Murray has seen this movie more often than most - Djokovic going from hobbling wreck to superhuman. It must have made a nice change to be cheering him on from the sidelines, rather than looking on with bemusement and confusion from the other end of the court.
![[The Serbian prevailed in four sets after appearing to injure his groin in the first on Tuesday night]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/21/14/94348781-14309051-image-a-3_1737469435112.jpg)
That role was filled by Alcaraz, who had looked lethal until Djokovic tweaked his groin and, at times, impotent thereafter. This was a horrible defeat for a 21-year-old who is chasing his career Grand Slam here in Melbourne - but what a win for Djokovic.
![[The record Grand Slam winner[r received treatment on his left groin during the thrilling match]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/21/14/94348921-14309051-image-a-4_1737469707154.jpg)
After being destroyed in the Wimbledon final by Alcaraz he has beaten him twice in a row: in the Olympic final in Paris and here in Melbourne. The 37-year-old Serb plays injured better than anyone else. The way he manages his body, husbands meagre resources and shifts his gamestyle is extraordinary. If, in some dystopian future, injuries were ritually inflicted on every player before every event then Djokovic would have won 50 Grand Slams instead of 24.
![[Alcaraz looked in complete control but relinquished his command and was unable to reassert his dominance]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/21/14/94348913-14309051-image-a-5_1737469710327.jpg)
