Novak Djokovic has a date with Alcaraz at CF in Melbourne | ATP Tour

Australian Open

Djokovic has a date with Alcaraz at CF in Melbourne

He equals Federer’s record of 15 appearances in the quarterfinals at the Australian Open

January 19, 2025

At 37 years and 249 days old, Novak Djokovic continues to break records, accumulate legendary marks and add figures within the reach of a privileged few. Without going any further, this Sunday at the Australian Open he became the third oldest player in the Open Era to reach the quarterfinals.

Under the lights of the Rod Laver Arena, the ten-time champion defeated No. 24 seed Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) in two hours and 39 minutes. In this way, he appears among the best eight at Melbourne Park for the fifteenth time in his career, equaling Roger Federer.

Quarterfinals at the Australian Open
Novak Djokovic: 15

Roger Federer: 15

Rafael Nadal: 14

John Newcombe: 14

Of course, no one has more presence in a Grand Slam quarterfinal than Djokovic himself, who already boasts 61 participations in this instance of a tournament of this category, an absolute record ahead of Federer’s 58 and Rafael’s 47. Nadal.

The Serbian has taken advantage of this circumstance to become the man with the most Grand Slam titles in history and in this edition of the Australian Open he intends to add one more to his showcase to raise the number to 25. To do so, he will have to surpass the next round to one of the big favorites: the Spanish Carlos Alcaraz.

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For the second time in a row, Djokovic had to face a Czech opponent, as happened in the third round, where he achieved his first victory in three sets in this edition against the No. 26 seed Tomas Machac.

On this occasion, the level rose considerably. Not because Lehecka had a classification in the PIF ATP Rankings much higher than that of his compatriot, but because he had not yet known defeat this season. As the recent Brisbane champion in the first week of the year, he had eight wins in 2025.

But Djokovic prevented any epic episode from the beginning. He raised the level of concentration compared to the first two rounds, where he had let a set escape in each of them against Nishesh Basavareddy and Jaime Faria, with 80% effectiveness with his serve and a converted break in the eighth game closed the first sleeve by 6-3.

In the next two sets, the Serb began the opening game with a break. In the second set it was enough of an advantage, but in the third set Lehecka was able to recover immediately, taking the set to a tie-break.

Djokovic, who is pursuing his eleventh crown in the tournament and No. 25 Grand Slam in Melbourne, will now meet again with Alcaraz, with whom he maintains a favorable Lexus ATP Head2Head of 4-3. Their last duel was in the final of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games last summer.

Did you know that…?

Novak Djokovic has 97 victories at the Australian Open, his record of matches won in the same Grand Slam tournament that he also shares at Wimbledon. At Roland Garros he leaves the mark at 96, while at the US Open he has 90. If he is able to lift the title in Melbourne next Sunday he will reach 100 for the first time.