EXCLUSIVE: The insane stakes at play for Djokovic-Alcaraz legacy match
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MELBOURNE: As an opening batter on a green top might say, there's a bit doing here.
The stakes are sky high at Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday night as Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz prepare to slug it out in an Australian Open quarter-final more than worthy of a final.
Djokovic's slide down the world rankings to seven is the reason for such a blockbuster match-up at this stage of the tournament.
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It is the hottest ticket in town as the relentless 37-year-old Serbian continues to find records to break and scores to settle.
An 11th Australian Open title - ridiculous in itself - would also be Djokovic's 25th grand slam title and more than anyone ever.
He would pass Australian legend Margaret Court's record of 24.
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"Novak wants it big time and I think he is hoping to do that here because he knows he's playing great tennis," Daniela Hantuchova said on Stan Sport's Grand Slam Daily.
"He's got Andy Murray in the box, he's healthy, he knows what it takes to win here.
"I actually talked to Goran Ivanisevic (Djokovic's former coach) and I asked him what he thinks about Novak, whether he can do it here or win another grand slam. And he said: 'absolutely yes'.
"So there is so much on the line and the motivation is big. And that's why sometimes I think it's easy for Novak to get really irritated quickly because he just wants to have everything perfect and get to the title."
It's the eighth instalment of the riveting, intergenerational rivalry.
But it is the first at the Australian Open - and the first in the quarter-finals of a tournament.
All of of the others came in either a semi-final or final.
Djokovic leads the overall head-to-head against Alcaraz 4-3, including a victory in the final at the Paris Olympics last year to claim a gold medal for Serbia.
At the majors, though, Alcaraz leads 2-1.
Alcaraz, 21, is seeking to become the youngest man to complete a career grand slam with at least one trophy from all four of the most prestigious events in tennis.
His four so far came elsewhere: two at Wimbledon by virtue of wins over Djokovic in the 2023 and 2024 finals, and one apiece at the US Open in 2022 and the French Open last year.
"We talk about Novak, how much he wants this title. Well, guess what? Carlos is right up there," Hantuchova said.
Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia interacts with Laura Robson of Great Britain. Getty
"This is the one that he hasn't won yet and he is ready. His movement and the balls he was able to get to from Jack Draper (in the fourth round) was just incredible.
"It feels like he got even faster if that's actually possible. Because let's not forget, first time Carlos came to the spotlight, we were wondering how can an athlete move that fast and be that flexible?
"And just being so balanced when he's pushed in the angles.
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain plays a backhand against Jack Draper of Great Britain. Getty
"When he's on the stretch and when he slides to the ball, he never bends with his back down.
"So he always sees the court in the most perfect way and his core - I don't know what kind of exercises they do, but sometimes when we see the warm-ups before they get on the court, I'm already sweating."
So who wins - the young buck or the old bull?
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain applauds the crowd after defeat to Novak Djokovic of Serbia. Getty
"It is the most difficult question of the tournament so far. I'm leaning towards Carlos, but just by one per cent," Hantuchova said.
"How dare I say that against Novak?"
Mark Petchey could barely contain his excitement on Grand Slam Daily.
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia pose with their trophies. Getty
"These guys have already stolen each other's dreams," Petchey said.
"Novak in Paris, the gold medal that we saw Alcaraz crying about. A couple of Wimbledon titles have already gone for Novak because of Alcaraz. It's got meaning tonight.
"The career grand slam on the line for Carlos, I mean before he's 22, that's just madness. This is history. It could go to five (sets), you know it's going to be a bruising battle." - with AP
