Mutua Madrid 2022 semifinal

This was Alcaraz's first encounter with Djokovic, and he immediately defeated his senior in the semifinal.

Despite having his right ankle bandaged and kinesio tape applied due to an injury from the Rafael Nadal match, Alcaraz made a remarkable comeback. After 3 hours and 35 minutes of dramatic play, the match was decided in a tie-break with a score of 6-7(5), 7-5, 7-6(5). "I knew I played a really great match," the Spaniard said at the time.

This victory made Alcaraz the youngest finalist in Mutua Madrid, where he went on to defeat Alexander Zverev to win the title.

Roland Garros 2023 semifinal

The Roland Garros clay court witnessed the first match between Alcaraz and Djokovic at a Grand Slam. The Spaniard came back after losing the first set, but towards the end of the second set, he experienced pain in his right leg and hand. With the score at 1-1 in the third set, Alcaraz required the assistance of a physiotherapist, which led to him losing his serve in the next game due to regulations. He suffered cramps in his right hand and quadriceps.

"I'm exhausted, I can't go on," Alcaraz exclaimed. Although he tried to continue playing, the rest of the match belonged entirely to Djokovic. The Serbian player ultimately won 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1.

"I told Carlos that he is young and has a lot of time ahead of him. I'm sure he will win this tournament many times," Djokovic commented, and he was not wrong.

Wimbledon 2023 final

A month later, Alcaraz and Djokovic met again in the Wimbledon final. Djokovic entered the match as the heavy favorite, holding seven Wimbledon titles, including the last four consecutively, while Alcaraz had only played two tournaments on grass. The first set, with a score of 6-1, seemed to confirm Djokovic's dominance. But Alcaraz rallied powerfully.

The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with one game lasting 26 minutes. In the end, Alcaraz became the third youngest player in the Open Era to win Wimbledon, with a 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 victory after 4 hours and 42 minutes.

"This is a dream come true," Alcaraz said of his first grass-court Grand Slam. "This victory is truly memorable, but even if I had lost, I would still be very proud of myself for this incredible journey, for making history at this magnificent tournament, and for playing in the final against a tennis legend."

Cincinnati Open 2023 final

Cincinnati witnessed the first hard-court match between Djokovic and Alcaraz. The 2003-born player won the first set and had a break in the second. Leading 4-3 and serving, victory seemed within his grasp. But, Djokovic staged a comeback. The Serbian player saved a match point in the second-set tie-break and won the third set, also in a tie-break.

The match lasted 3 hours and 49 minutes, becoming the longest final in the tournament's history in Ohio and the longest in a best-of-three-sets format since 1990, ending with a 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4) victory for Djokovic. "This is one of the toughest and most exciting matches I've ever been a part of. These are the kind of moments and matches that I work hard for every day," Djokovic said after that victory.

ATP Finals 2023 semifinal

The ATP Finals 2023 semifinal witnessed the most lopsided match between Djokovic and Alcaraz up to that point. The Serbian player won easily in two sets.

In the most dramatic game of the second set, Djokovic rallied from 15-40 down, took a 4-2 lead, and didn't lose another game until the match ended with a score of 6-3, 6-2.

"I entered the match with the right attitude, a strong mentality, knowing that from the first point, the match would be very intense," Djokovic said. "Carlos is always explosive in matches like this and starts with high intensity. You have to match him, weather the storm. And I did."

Wimbledon 2024 final

For the second consecutive year, Alcaraz and Djokovic competed for the Grand Slam title in London. The outcome was the same, but the course of the match was different: Alcaraz dominated from start to finish, winning 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(4) in 2 hours and 30 minutes. After the match, Djokovic showed his frustration by taking off his shirt and hanging his head for a long time on the bench.

Alcaraz won his 4th Grand Slam title and became the sixth person to complete the Roland Garros and Wimbledon double. The only tense moment came in the third set when Alcaraz lost his serve while leading 5-4 and 40-0. However, he won the tie-break to secure the championship. "Winning this title is a dream for me. This is the best tournament, the best court, and the best trophy," Alcaraz said on the court that day.

Paris Olympics 2024 final

Just 21 days after Wimbledon, Alcaraz and Djokovic faced each other in the final of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Both knew this was a match that couldn't be replicated. Djokovic aimed for the gold medal to further enhance his impressive record. He saved eight break points in the first set, winning 7-6(3), 7-6(2) after 94 minutes in tie-breaks.

The balance of the match was unforgettable for fans. It was a breathtaking chase, but Djokovic was sharper at the decisive moments of the second set.

"We played for nearly three hours just to finish two sets. It was a memorable battle, a top-level match," the 24-time Grand Slam champion commented. "When the final shot went past Alcaraz, it was the only moment I thought I could win. I entered the match believing I would win, but actually doing it is a different story. He always responds, forcing me to play at my highest level."

Australian Open 2025 quarterfinal

The most recent match between Alcaraz and Djokovic took place at the Australian Open 2025 - the first Grand Slam of the year, where they met in the quarterfinals. Djokovic appeared to have a physical problem after lunging to save a shot, requiring the assistance of a physiotherapist while trailing 5-4 in the first set. He left the court to have his thigh bandaged and returned after three minutes. Despite being down a set and in pain, Djokovic regained his top form and won 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.

"How is this possible?" Alcaraz exclaimed as he repeatedly made unforced errors. Djokovic likened this encounter to a Grand Slam final due to the balanced nature of each set, the dedication from both him and his opponent, and the enthusiastic atmosphere from the crowd.

Hoang Thong

Photo: EFE, AP, AFP, ATP, Reuters.