Djokovic vs Alcaraz Round 8: All you need to know about Australian Open quarters

Novak Djokovic, the 10-time Australian Open champion, is determined to prove a point to his naysayers after failing to win a Grand Slam last year. The Serb faces a significant challenge as early as the quarter-finals, where he will take on Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Alcaraz will be aiming for his first victory over Djokovic on hard courts.

In Short

• Djokovic will take on Alcaraz in Tuesday's quarterfinal in Melbourne
• The 10-time champion keen on making a strong start to the new season
• Djokovic did not win a Grand Slam title in 2024, lost to Alcaraz in Wimbledon

It might no longer be dubbed as the contest between the unstoppable force and the immovable object, but Novak Djokovic meeting Carlos Alcaraz as early as Tuesday's quarter-finals is arguably the biggest blockbuster of this year's Australian Open. The 2024 season showed that Djokovic is indeed human and exposed a few chinks in the armour of Alcaraz, especially towards the latter half of the year.

Australian Open: Full Coverage

However, sparks are sure to fly in the battle of generations between 10-time champion Djokovic and the Spanish superstar. For the eighth time, the greatest of all time will face Alcaraz, who is bidding to become the youngest man to complete the Career Slam.

The Australian Open is the only silverware missing from Alcaraz's already decorated trophy cabinet. After winning Wimbledon and the French Open last year, Alcaraz stumbled in the hard-court Grand Slams. Following a shock second-round exit at the US Open, the 21-year-old failed to reach the knockout rounds of the ATP Finals.

Nevertheless, Alcaraz, armed with a new serving motion, has begun the 2025 season on a high note, easing into the quarter-finals after dropping only a single set. The young Spaniard, a four-time Grand Slam champion, now faces one of the toughest tests of his career on Tuesday.

ALCARAZ vs DJOKOVIC: HEAD-TO-HEAD

Alcaraz won their last meeting in a Grand Slam-the Wimbledon final-but Djokovic hit back on clay, clinching the Paris Olympics men's singles final. Djokovic leads Alcaraz 4-3 in their head-to-head meetings, and the Serb remains undefeated against the Spaniard on hard courts, leading 2-0.

Speaking about the significance of the contest, Alcaraz said: "I think everybody has their weakness. It doesn't matter if we're playing on one surface or another; we are going to still have the same weakness. What weakness does Novak have? Just a few or none. I know what I have to do on clay, on hard court, on grass. This is going to be the first time I am playing against him in a Grand Slam on hard court, so let's see."

BIG TEST FOR MURRAY-DJOKOVIC PARTNERSHIP

For Djokovic, the clash against Alcaraz might prove to be season-defining. If the 24-time Grand Slam champion defeats Alcaraz, he can reaffirm that he remains the man to beat on the tour. It is equally crucial for Djokovic to send this message early in the season, given the unusually lean patch he endured last year-for the first time since 2017, the Serb went a calendar year without winning a Grand Slam title.

With Andy Murray in his coaching corner, Djokovic has looked sharper than last season. He has not allowed his opponents to dictate play in the early stages of the tournament, advancing to the last eight without dropping too many sets. The 10-time champion, seeded seventh in Melbourne, has benefitted greatly from his partnership with Murray, who provides a solid sounding board on court.

Djokovic explained that his decision to appoint Murray as his coach was primarily to tap into the knowledge of the former World No. 1 during pressure-filled moments at the highest level. The Serb will rely on his coach to serve as both a friend and guide in Tuesday's pivotal encounter. The future of this much-talked-about partnership could also hinge significantly on the match's outcome.

Djokovic is well aware that he will be made to work hard on Tuesday, likening his battles with Alcaraz to his legendary match-ups against Rafael Nadal.

"I am expecting a big battle, as is the case in most of our matches where we have faced each other," Djokovic said.

"It reminds me of my matchups versus Nadal in terms of the intensity and the energy on the court.

"He's a very dynamic, explosive player. Incredibly talented. Charismatic. Great to watch; not so great to play against," he said in the lead-up to the quarter-final.

Can Alcaraz outlast Djokovic in Melbourne? The young Spaniard has the power and skills, but it will not be straightforward. If Alcaraz manages to defeat Djokovic, he will send a strong message to top seed Jannik Sinner. On the other hand, the old guard will be determined to prove a point to the circuit, reminding them that he is still the boss.

WHEN AND WHERE TO WATCH DJOKOVIC VS ALCARAZ QUARTER-FINAL

The men's singles quarter-final between Djokovic and Alcaraz is the last match scheduled for Tuesday at Rod Laver Arena. It is likely to commence after 2:30 pm IST.

Sony Sports will provide live TV coverage of the match, which can also be live-streamed on SonyLiv in India.