The Japan Times - Four memorable showdowns between Alcaraz and Djokovic

- Madrid 2022 -

At just 19, Alcaraz crossed paths with Djokovic for the first time in the semi-finals of the Madrid Masters.

The Serbian was world No. 1, while the rising star from Murcia was ranked ninth. He had just beaten his illustrious compatriot Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals.

Fresh from his first Masters 1000 title in Miami, Alcaraz won 6-7 (5/7), 7-5, 7-6 (7/5) on the Madrid clay before crushing Alexander Zverev in the final.

"There are eight players ahead of me before I can become the best player in the world," proclaimed the ambitious Spaniard after his victory over Djokovic.

Four months later, he won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open and became the youngest world No. 1 since the ATP rankings were created in 1973.

- Wimbledon 2023 -

Beaten by Djokovic in the semi-finals of Roland Garros in 2023, Alcaraz fought back in the Wimbledon final.

On the hallowed grass of the All England Club, Alcaraz beat the four-time defending champion 1-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 and claimed his second major trophy on the turf where the Serb was so at home.

"Beating Novak at his best, in this stage, making history, being the guy to beat him after 10 years unbeaten on that court,It's something that I will never forget," said the right-hander from Murcia, the only player to beat Djokovic in a Grand Slam in 2023.

"It's great for the new generation, as well, I think to see me beating him and making them think that they are capable to do it, as well," added Alcaraz, who would again beat Djokovic, who had just returned from injury, in the 2024 Wimbledon final.

- Paris 2024 -

A few weeks after being forced to withdraw from his quarter-final at Roland Garros with a knee injury, Djokovic returned to Paris, in search of the only piece missing from his already impressive list of achievements, which includes a Davis Cup victory and 24 Grand Slam titles: an Olympic gold.

In the final, the indomitable Serb beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/2) to further cement his place in tennis history at the age of 37.

"This is probably the biggest sporting success I have ever had and the most special feeling," aid the winner, after shedding a few tears.

"In a way losing heavily to Alcaraz at Wimbledon probably worked in my favour as I knew I couldn't play any worse than that," said Djokovic.

Alacraz also cried, convinced that he had "disappointed the Spanish, who were expecting gold".

- Melbourne 2025 -

Although Djokovic and Alcaraz have not met in a final since the Olympic Games, they faced each other for the first time in Melbourne in the quarter-finals of the 2025 edition.

In a difficult position after losing the first set and suffering an injury that turned out to be a torn muscle in his left thigh, Djokovic pulled off a heroic victory (4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4) after more than three and a half hours of battle.

"Just one of the most epic matches I have played on this court, any court really," said Djokovic, who was "concerned" about his injury and forced to retire after one set in the semi-finals against Zverev.

Alcaraz took his revenge in the US Open semi-finals, winning 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 in a one-sided match on his way to his sixth major title.

Y.Kato--JT