Mats Wilander: I see Novak winning on Tuesday, firstly because he very rarely loses on this court. It's his short. It's his house. This is the first reason why I think he will win.
Then, I believe he will benefit from more free points than Alcaraz thanks to his service. I think he serves better than Alcaraz in this tournament. So I'm not saying that these are the two reasons why Novak Djokovic WILL win. But these are two things that really make me think he CAN win this quarterfinal. Tim, yours.
Tim Henman : Wow… Well, I think Carlos Alcaraz has the physical side going for him. In the best-of-five Grand Slam format, he has absolutely exceptional movement ability. I really believe that physically it could play an important role.
Paradoxically, my second argument is somewhat the same as Mats, but… in favor of Carlos Alcaraz. It seems to me that his service has progressed enormously. He has gained speed, he has more firepower than before in the first shot. So these free points, I think he can have them too.
But really, I'm really looking forward to this match. There is almost a problem in saying that this duel between Djokovic and Alcaraz is a Grand Slam quarter-final. It has already been a Grand Slam final and the final of the Olympic Games.
Brilliant Alcaraz, wrung out Draper: the large format
Video credit: Eurosport
Laura Robson : I'm going to side with Tim on this one but so do I, more from a “He can win” than “He's definitely going to win” perspective. It's not a statement, it's not a wish, but it definitely can do it in my opinion. Carlos Alcaraz has had very short matches so far, he has energy, he has had time to recover.
When it's hot, the playing conditions also seem a little more “lively” and we're forecasting another 31 degrees tomorrow. The Spaniard's ball will splash on this court in these conditions, particularly on the forehand. So I give it a slight advantage. Well, in saying that, I'm not even necessarily convinced of the result myself (laughs).
-“Djokovic is on a mission as he was during the Olympic final”
Video credit: Eurosport
Mats Wilander: Justine, you have to support me on this, please. Sorry Justine…
Justine Hénin: Of course Mats, I'm always on your side! I don't want to fight with anyone! But yes, in Melbourne, on the Rod Laver Arena, it’s his home. But I would especially like to talk about the final of the Olympic Games. I was so impressed with Novak's ability to come up with something different in such an important moment.
I will remember all my life his training the day before the final and also his warm-up on D-Day. His precision… There were doubts about his true level of play and seeing him at that moment, I understood that he was going to play his very best tennis in this Olympic final, which was so important for him.
Of course, it's a different context, we are in the Grand Slam, it will be longer. But his ability to be there at the right time in the right place is so phenomenal…
Djokovic, a golden title: the highlights of his final against Alcaraz
Video credit: Eurosport
