Polarity of Alcaraz and Djokovic at fore in imminent classic

Born 16 years apart, the pair's previous eight meetings have included some of the most memorable tennis matches

- Tumaini Carayol

Carlos Alcaraz took his final leave from Rod Laver Arena this year consumed by frustration. Losing at the Australian Open, the first grand slam tournament of the year, was painful enough, but Alcaraz's disappointment was particularly down to how he lost. Novak Djokovic had visibly begun to struggle with a leg injury early in their four-set quarter-final, but instead of focusing on his own game, Alcaraz found himself staring across the net and thinking too much about his opponent rather than about what he needed to win. While the Spaniard's focus wavered, Djokovic's difficulties inspired his most offensive, decisive tennis, and he willed himself to a miraculous victory.

That meeting was the last encounter in what has become one of the most unusual rivalries the sport has seen. At 38 and 22 respectively, Djokovic and Alcaraz were born 16 years apart. Their first meeting at the Madrid Open in May 2022, won by Alcaraz, occurred two days after his 19th birthday and two weeks before Djokovic turned 35. Considering that significant age gap, just one match between them would have been a fortunate outcome.