Tennis fans have been left concerned over Novak Djokovic’s level at the Australian Open having once again struggled to overcome a challenger as he took to the court to break another grand slam record. Djokovic made history on Wednesday having overtaken Roger Federer as the tennis player with the most appearances in singles competition at a grand slam with 430.
And while it was looking like it would be a quick afternoon session – after taking the first set 6-1 – against Portuguese youngster Jaime Faria, the Serbian looked sluggish in the second set. The 21-year-old managed to stun the 24-time grand slam champion in the second set tiebreak as the 37-year-old became increasingly cranky.
Djokovic first took aim at the umpire at 5-5 in the second when the Rod Laver Arena lights came on due to clouds hanging over head. The 10-time Australian Open winner became frustrated with the decision and remonstrated with the chair umpire.
Eventually it was deemed the lights could turn off until the end of the set. The decision to turn the lights off pleased the crowd with the commentator noting: ‘Sanity has prevailed’.
However, it didn’t help the Serbian who was slightly rattled and lost the set. Although Faria’s level drastically dropped after winning the second set with the youngster not accustomed to playing at such a high-level for so long. Djokovic raced through the third 6-3, before recognising the moment and racing away with the fourth and the match.
Fans are questioning whether Djokovic’s level is high enough to topple the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at this year’s grand slam. And right now, it’s Alcaraz who is lighting up Melbourne with the Spaniard playing imperious tennis to wrap-up his clash and make a statement to his rivals.
Carlos Alcaraz lights up Melbourne Park
While Djokovic relied on his experience to get through Faria, Alcaraz was absolutely monumental against Yoshihito Nishioka. The young Spaniard is aiming to become the youngest ever male player to win the career grand slam with a victory in Melbourne Park.
And he has arrived with a point to prove in 2025 with the 21-year-old showing off his improved serve to blast Nishioka off the court 6-0, 6-1, 6-4. Alcaraz only made a handful of mistakes in the first two sets as he produced 14 aces with a first serve percentage of 60.
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This is the third-highest ace count for Alcaraz in his career and the Spaniard has sent an ominous warning to his rivals. “I’m really happy with the serve today. It’s something that I worked (on) in the pre-season,” Alcaraz said right after the match.
“In the first round I struggled a little bit, so I wasn’t too happy in the first round with the serve. Today I was more focused and on practising the serve I spent more time serving with Juan Carlos (Ferrero) and my team.
“It’s something that I really want to be better, so I’m just glad that today it worked pretty well. “Hopefully in the next round it’s going to be better.”
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