Separated by 16 years, the pair stand at opposite ends of their careers and are pursuing significant but different milestones
Novak Djokovic. PIC/AFP and Carlos Alcaraz. PIC/GETTY IMAGES
History is on the line in the Australian Open men’s final on Sunday with tennis gladiators Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz each vowing no surrender. Separated by 16 years, the pair stand at opposite ends of their careers and are pursuing significant but different milestones. The 38-year-old Djokovic is striving to win a record-extending 11th Melbourne crown and with it a 25th major title to finally surpass Margaret Court’s long-standing landmark.
Should he do so, he will also become the oldest man to lift the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup at the Australian Open. The 22-year-old Alcaraz is bidding to become the youngest man to complete a career sweep of all four majors. Fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal did it at 24. “For me, I think also obviously for Carlos because of his age and everything that he was able to achieve so far, history is on the line for both of us every time we play,” said Serbia’s Djokovic.
Both men conjured Houdini-like escapes in gripping five-set semi-finals. Djokovic survived two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner after 4hrs 9mins for his first win in six encounters against the World No. 2. Alcaraz spent even more time on court to tame Alexander Zverev in a titanic 5hrs 27mins, the longest semi-final in tournament history with both matches instant classics.
5-4
Novak Djokovic’s win-loss record against Carlos Alcaraz
38
No of Grand Slam singles finals entered by Novak Djokovic; he has won 24
Six
No of Grand Slam singles titles won by Alcaraz; he is yet to win the Oz Open
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