Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old tennis sensation from Spain, has predicted that Novak Djokovic will emerge as a formidable force at the upcoming 2025 Australian Open. Despite experiencing a difficult 2024 campaign, Alcaraz believes that the great Serb will once again be “one of the favourites” to capture the title in Melbourne, provided he arrives at the tournament with the right motivation and hunger for victory.
Djokovic’s 2024 season was far from his usual standards. While he managed to secure a major triumph by claiming his maiden Olympic gold medal in an unforgettable final against Alcaraz at the Paris Olympics in August, it stood out as his only significant title for the year. The victory allowed Djokovic to etch his name further into tennis history, becoming the first male player to win every major accolade in the sport. However, beyond that highlight, the season proved challenging for the 37-year-old, with defeats and setbacks that were atypical for the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
Among the notable losses was his defeat to Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final—a gripping contest that showcased the younger player’s growing mastery on the grass court. Later in the season, Djokovic faced another tough opponent in Jannik Sinner, falling to the Italian star in the Shanghai Masters title match. These losses underscored a challenging year for Djokovic, who ultimately described 2024 as “one of the worst-performing seasons in terms of results” during his storied career.
In light of his struggles, Djokovic made the decision to withdraw from both the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals in Turin—tournaments he had dominated during his exceptional 2023 season. The year before, he had triumphed at the US Open to claim his 24th Grand Slam title, solidifying his reputation as one of the greatest players of all time. Yet 2024 saw him unable to replicate such feats, leading many to wonder what the future holds for the tennis icon.
Alcaraz, who had his own challenges at the 2024 ATP Finals—exiting at the round-robin stage following defeats to Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev—was asked about Djokovic’s prospects for the Australian Open after his last match in Turin. The world No. 3 did not hesitate to highlight the threat posed by Djokovic when properly motivated.
“A really dangerous player (smiling),” Alcaraz said in response to the question about Djokovic’s potential impact in Melbourne. “I mean, he deserves to choose what tournaments he’s going to play. We’ve seen before that it doesn’t matter that he doesn’t play an official match for two, three, four months because he’s going to come again and be able to win the tournament, be able to show a really high level of tennis.”
The young Spaniard expressed confidence that Djokovic’s extensive break from competitive play could serve as a powerful motivator. “So in Australian Open, it depends on the hunger he is [feeling]. If he goes to Australia with hunger, [he] is going to be one of the favourites to win Australia. Let’s see,” Alcaraz remarked. “He’s going to be fresh, for sure. A lot of time with his family, kids, wife. Have time to practise a lot, which is pretty good for a tennis player coming to a tournament with motivations.”
Alcaraz, who is known for his respectful yet competitive attitude towards Djokovic, emphasized that watching the Serb return to the court in Melbourne would be a treat for tennis fans around the world. “Is going to be a fun player to watch, for sure (smiling),” he added.
For Alcaraz himself, the 2024 season has one final chapter left as he gears up to represent Spain at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next week. After an up-and-down year, the young star remains focused on ending it on a strong note and continuing to establish himself as one of the brightest talents in the sport.
Djokovic, on the other hand, will be looking to make a powerful statement in Melbourne. With rest, preparation, and a competitive edge honed over years at the top of the game, his potential resurgence at the 2025 Australian Open could be yet another defining chapter in his illustrious career. If the Serb is indeed as hungry and motivated as Alcaraz predicts, tennis fans can expect a captivating and highly competitive start to the new season.