Ex-players call out disrespectful Carlos Alcaraz act against Novak Djokovic

Tennis commentators believe Carlos Alcaraz was ridiculing Novak Djokovic at a critical moment of their Australian Open quarterfinal.

It’s been a routine path to victory for Novak Djokovic in recent years: look hampered by injury, drop a set, call a medical time-out and then return to stun his opponent.

And tennis commentators are suggesting the tactics - if you can call them that - frustrated Carlos Alcaraz to the point of mocking the Serb during their Australian Open quarterfinal on Tuesday night.

Djokovic won a generational clash he said was worthy of the final to close in on a record 25th Grand Slam title with Alexander Zverev next up in the last four.

The 37-year-old outlasted the Spaniard, 16 years his junior, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 despite having his left thigh heavily strapped after dropping the first set.

But it was after the third set Alcaraz caught the eye of American commentary duo and ex-players James Blake and John McEnroe as he appeared to mimic the hindered movement Djokovic had shown earlier in the match.

Novak Djokovic leaves the court with medicos for an injury time out after the first set. Picture: Michael Klein

As he walked to his seat and the change of ends, Alcaraz held his upper right leg and appeared to pretend to limp.

“You can see the frustration, he’s kinda limping around … and he gets up and does it again,” Blake said.

“He’s obviously fine, just acting like he’s got some sort of an injury.”

“That’s what I would do,” McEnroe replied. “If I was playing him, I’d be like Novak right now.”

“It’s clearly the frustration,” Blake said.

“Yeah, no kidding,” McEnroe agreed. “I don’t blame him.”

Neither player spoke about the moment after the match and not everyone is convinced Alcaraz was disrespecting the 24-time slam winner.

Diehard Djokovic supporter, known on X as PavvyG, tweeted: “Seen some saying Alcaraz mocked or disrespected Djokovic; I really don’t think there’s any issue here, Alcaraz was struggling himself at the end of set three and ran out his leg which is normal especially for someone who has cramped in the past. They both respect each other a lot.”

Alcaraz was asked about Djokovic’s injury and said: “I’m not saying he put on a show, but in the second set he looked in trouble and in the third and fourth I didn’t see anything. I don’t think he would have retired if he lost the second set. A tennis player who thinks about retiring doesn’t play the third and fourth sets the way he did.”

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz shakes hands with Serbia's Novak Djokovic after their men's singles quarterfinal match. (Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP)

For Djokovic, it was a vintage 3hrs 37mins performance and put him into the last four at Melbourne Park for a 12th time, with only Roger Federer (15) doing so more often.

The win also extended his all-time record for most Grand Slam semi-final appearances to 50, four clear of the Swiss great.

To reach another final he will need to beat second seed Zverev, who battled into the semis for a second year running with a 7-6 (7/1), 7-6 (7/0), 2-6, 6-1 win over American 12th seed Tommy Paul.

“I just wish that this match today was the final,” said 10-time Melbourne champion Djokovic.

“Just one of the most epic matches I have played on this court, any court really.”

“I guess the key is recovery,” he added, looking ahead to the Zverev clash. “That’s all I’m thinking about. Hopefully I can come out and feel my best because Sascha (Zverev) is playing some of the best tennis he has played.”

Djokovic shows discomfort in the first set. Picture: Michael Klein

He repeatedly crouched and showed pain. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

As the wind swirled, Djokovic opened with a commanding hold then broke immediately as the 21-year-old Alcaraz struggled to find his range.

But the advantage was short-lived with the world number three rifling a backhand down the line to break straight back.

Seventh seed Djokovic saved two break points in an enthralling game nine, but appeared to be wincing and Alcaraz converted on the third for a 5-4 lead when the veteran sprayed a forehand wide.

The Serb called the trainer and left court for a medical time-out after the game, with Alcaraz sealing the set to love on his return.

But Djokovic, with his thigh now strapped, wasn’t done and broke to race 3-0 ahead in set two, playing more aggressively.

Alcaraz then won three games in a row to seemingly seize control, but Djokovic pulled off a break to love from nowhere with a backhand winner to take the set.

The third set went with serve until three breaks in a row left Djokovic 5-3 ahead and able to serve out, blowing kisses to his children in the crowd.

Djokovic had all the momentum and broke straight away in the fourth set. Both men produced some sensational tennis, including a 33-shot rally, before Alcaraz finally succumbed.

Djokovic refused to say exactly what his injury problem was, but said “the medication started to kick in, and it helped”.

Djokovic gestures to the crowd after winning the third set. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

He conceded: “I’m concerned. I am, to be honest, physically. “But if I manage somehow to be physically good enough, I think mentally, emotionally I’m as motivated as I can be.”

“Honestly I felt like I was controlling the match and I let him get into the match again. I’m going to say that was the biggest mistake that I made today,” said Alcaraz.

“In the second set I had to play a little bit better just to push him even more to the limit. We saw that he had issues just moving a little bit in the second set.

“I had to push him a little bit more just to the limit, and I didn’t. I didn’t do it.

“After that, I think he started to feel better and was playing such a great level.”

- with AFP

Originally published as Ex-players call out disrespectful Carlos Alcaraz act against Novak Djokovic