Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have already had many great encounters (Image: Getty)
The quarter-finals of the will see two titans go head to head as and face off. It will be the first time the pair have faced off since their clash at Roland Garros in the Olympic Games, which saw the Serbian overcome Alcaraz 7-6, 7-6 .
Since 2022, Djokovic and the Spaniard have faced each other seven times, with four of those meetings coming in major finals. The Serb claimed victory in the 2024 Olympic gold medal match and the ATP Masters 1000 Cincinatti in 2023, while Alcaraz took the spoils in the last two editions of .
Their back-and-forth rallies have also extended beyond the court, with both players issuing pointed comments to one another on numerous occasions. Express Sport has a look at the rivalry blossoming between two of the top players in tennis.
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Head to Head record
At present, Djokovic is leading the head-to-head record over Alcaraz. In seven meetings, the Serbian has won four matches, while Alcaraz has three. However, two of the latter’s wins have been in the final, the first of which being a five set thriller which he won 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 and the second being a crushing 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 straight-sets victory a year later.
Djokovic will take immense confidence from the gold medal triumph he won over Alcaraz, who was the heavy favourite going into their clash. The Serbian also has in his coaching corner Down Under, which has been a fascinating sight for tennis fans.
Alcaraz will be desperate to avenge his bitterly disappointing loss at Roland Garros last year. On hard court, Djokovic has a 100% record over the Spaniard, recording victories at the 2023 Cincinnati Masters final and the 2023 Nitto ATP semi-final.
Djokovic was victorious in the Olympic Games final (Image: Getty)
Djokovic’s warning to Alcaraz
Having already amassed four Grand Slam titles at the age of just, Alcaraz has been touted by some people to reach Djokovic’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles. But while the Serbian is confident the Spaniard will win many more top titles in tennis, he urged the youngster to focus on the here and now and not look at breaking records.
A matter of days ago, Djokovic said: “It’s too early. But, you know, people say my records will never be broken. I doubt that.
“I mean, Carlos could already be the next guy. Even Jannik (Sinner). If they take care of their bodies, do things properly, and focus on longevity, they can achieve it.
“Carlos has done something no one in history has accomplished at such a young age. The odds are with him. He’s going to complete his [Career] Slam very soon.”
Alcaraz has already won four Grand Slam titles (Image: Getty)
Alcaraz’s ‘no friends’ warning
The mutual respect between the two tennis stars is evident, but when it comes to business on the court, Alcaraz is not afraid to steamroll Djokovic, like he did in last year’s final. Acknowledging that there is now a rivalry between the duo, Alcaraz said: “Well, obviously we have a good rivalry.
“Every time that we step on the court, we played really high tennis. Every time that we faced against each other, it has been a really good and intense match.
“But, yeah, we have a really good friendship off the court. We talk a lot in the lockers every time that we see each other around. With his team as well.
“Once we step on the court, there are no friends here on tour, but after that, after the court, I have a really good relationship with a lot of players, and one of them is Novak.”
Carlos Alcaraz plan
With Djokovic dropping down to no.7 as a result of his failure to win a Grand Slam and many months of inactivity last year, Alacaraz admitted he was surprised to be facing him so early. He quickly revealed that he will take the same approach to face Djokovic as he has in previous clashes.
Alcaraz said: “Well, this is not the right player to play in a quarter-final, I guess. I think in a Grand Slam, from quarter-finals to the final, those players are the best in the world.
“If it wasn’t Djokovic in the quarter-final, it could be another player near the top of the rankings, the top of the world. But facing Novak, for me it’s not going to change anything if I’m playing him in the quarter-final or semi-final.
“I’d probably change a little bit if it was a final, obviously. Being in a quarter-final, I’m going to approach the match the same as I did in the previous matches against him, and let’s see. He has to win, obviously. But let’s see. Both players are amazing. If it’s Novak, I’m going to approach it in the same way I approached the previous matches.”
Andy Murray is now the coach of Djokovic (Image: Getty)
Djokovic message to Alcaraz
Djokovic’s gold medal triumph over Alcaraz was one of the most emotionally charged tennis matches in recent memory. At the end of the match, both players burst into tears with Djokovic crying in sheer and utter emotion and Alcaraz doing his best to contain the immense sadness he was feeling.
Despite all of the records Djokovic has broken, a gold medal consistently evaded him throughout his career. Having also failed to win a Grand Slam in 2024, Djokovic was largely written off by the sporting world.
Shortly after the match had finished, Djokovic went up to his crestfallen younger opponent and offered some words of wisdom. When asked what was said, Alcaraz replied: “He told me that ‘I will win Olympic gold one day’. We are going to work for that. I’m sure my time will come.”