A rematch of the last two Wimbledon finals and last year’s Olympic final – three tennis matches with more recall value than any other in recent memory – with the Serb, perhaps for the first time, the outright underdog.

After Alcaraz booked his place in the last eight early on Sunday, leading 15th seed Jack Draper 7-5, 6-1 before the Brit was forced to retire, the Serb dismantled Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (4).

The straight-sets scoreline may make the match look routine but Djokovic was made to grind in the third set and produce his best tennis under pressure in the tie-breaker. The Serb refused to do the customary post-match on-court interview and was booed off court at his favourite hunting ground, the Rod Laver Arena.

Djokovic confirmed that he would not do any post-match interviews until he receives an apology from the Australian broadcaster and their newsreader, Tony Jones, who made “a mockery of Serbian fans and also made insulting and offensive comments toward me” during one of his shows.

The latest controversy caused by the 24-time Major winner is in line with the layers of intrigue that have enthralled fans in Melbourne this week when his tennis has not.

Under the watch of rival-turned-coach Andy Murray, Djokovic has improved as each of his four matches have passed and produced high quality when it mattered, but is yet to be tested by an opponent of high standing, let alone one of the best in the world, and while his tennis has not been as sharp, his antics have been.

Looking for enemies

Antagonistic by nature – finding something, anything, to get the motivation going – Djokovic’s matches have been anything but flat. When a forehand doesn’t whir with the same intensity or a serve misfires, glares and words have been exchanged with hecklers, ears have been cupped to get the crowd going, rants have been unloaded on his box, and now, fights have been picked with authorities.

For a player who started the tournament recalling the “trauma” of his detention and eviction three years ago, and hinting that he may have been “poisoned” during that period, the latest stir should not be a surprise. But he will need more than words and gestures to get him over the line in the next encounter.

Still 21 but already one of the world’s best players, Alcaraz kicked off 2025 with improvement on his mind – particularly on his serve, which has reaped rich dividends this week – but also in his focus, to avoid the lulls that seeped into his game a bit too often last year.

In Melbourne, there has been none of that. He has taken care of business with minimum fuss on court and without letting his level drop too often, almost flying under the radar – he is yet to play in the prime-time evening slot at Rod Laver Arena. Regardless, the high points of his game are resembling the heights he reached during the last two summers – when he picked up two Wimbledon trophies and a French Open title.

Still yet to go past the last eight in Melbourne, Alcaraz is seeking the career Grand Slam, and while he may have counted himself unlucky to be up against the greatest player in this tournament’s history as early as the quarterfinals, the confidence, with good reason, is showing.

“I know my weapons. I know that (if) I’m able to play good tennis against him, I’m able to beat him,” Alcaraz said on Sunday, per AP.

Past grouse, a tiff with the broadcaster, or a row with a heckler may all be adding fuel to his fire, but Djokovic will need his racquet to do the talking come Tuesday.