Djokovic, 38, and Alcaraz, 22, who are separated by 16 years, stand at opposite ends of their careers and are pursuing significant but different milestones. On one end, the Serbian legend, who last won a Grand Slam in 2023, is on the quest for his 11th Melbourne title and his career’s 25th Grand Slam, while on the other, Spaniard Alcaraz, who has won six Grand Slams so far, has his eyes set on his maiden Australian Open title.
The two tennis gladiators displayed grit and determination in their respective semifinal clashes on Friday (January 30, 2026), vowing to give nothing away in the battle for the prestigious Melbourne title.
Djokovic, who is considered the “king of Melbourne”, 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 has already won six Grand Slams and is bidding to become the youngest man to complete a career sweep of all four majors. Fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal did it at 24.
Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz: Head-to-Head and Grand Slam Record
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz have developed one of the most compelling rivalries in men’s tennis since their first match in 2022, with Djokovic leading the overall head-to-head 5–4.
On the Grand Slam stage, Djokovic and Alcaraz have met five times. Unlike the overall record, the Spaniard leads in majors 3–2. He won crucial matches, including the 2023 and 2024 Wimbledon finals and once in the US Open semi-final in 2025. Meanwhile, the Serbian veteran has emerged victorious in the Roland Garros semi-final 2023 and the Australian Open quarter-final 2025.
Will the ‘King of Melbourne’ extend his record, or will Alcaraz add another trophy to his growing cabinet? Only time will tell.