Andy Roddick claims Novak Djokovic was ‘trolling’ Carlos Alcaraz in Australian Open epic
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz served up what is certain to be one of the best matches of 2025 in a thrilling Australian Open quarter-final, with former world No 1 Andy Roddick suggesting the duo were indulging in mind games amid a compelling contest.
Djokovic bounced back from a set down after sustaining a left leg injury to claim a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 victory to secure his place in a 50th Grand Slam semi-final and saluted the match as “one of the most epic matches I’ve played on this court”.
That was some statement from a 10-time Australian Open champion, but it was befitting of a match that was laced with quality from first to last.
Amid his post-match analysis, Djokovic offered up huge platitudes for his beaten rival.
“I want to say my utmost respect and admiration for Carlos, everything he stands for and what he has already achieved in his young career,” said Djokovic.
“What a terrific guy he is and an even better competitor. He is the youngest ever No 1 in the history of our sport, four Grand Slams, so I’m sure we are going to see a lot of him.
“Maybe not as much as I would like, but he is going to be there longer than me for sure. I just wish this match today was the final.”
Despite those warm words from Djokovic towards Alcaraz, 2001 US Open champion Roddick questioned whether there were some mind games between the duo amid the heat of battle.
“A lot of the talk around this will be about Novak being hurt and then seeming to be 100 per-cent late on,” reflected Roddick on his Served podcast.
“I know Novak was going to the Carlos ear to the crowd a little bit and when athletes troll another athlete in the heat of battle, I kinda like it.
“Carlos got up on a switch over and was kind of limping around. I don’t know if that was mocking Novak, who seemed to be compromised with his movement and then in the third and fourth set, moved as well than I’ve seen him in 18 months or two years. That will live. I’m sure that will have its own heartbeat in the post-mortem of his match.”
Roddick also paid a glowing tribute to Djokovic, as he described the Serbian as a ‘genius’ who took the game away from Alcaraz by snatching his time away.
“Novak was going massive on his second serve and not hitting a lot of those little bunny kicks,” he added.
“He didn’t give him a canvas. When he has time, he becomes an artist. When he doesn’t have time, it’s a little more rushed. It was like telling an artist you have to finish this painting 30 minutes and that’s not the best version of what they are going to do.
“Novak Djokovic’s second serve won this match, no doubt. Carlos was up high on the court and Novak pinched him on so many second serve returned over and over again.
“I was confused for three hours why he didn’t go back. Carlos eventually drifted back when Novak was serving at 4-3 in the fourth set and he got a couple of looks at break points.
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“Novak’s tactics were a masterclass. He is so good at firming up the ball and not giving you the space. He knows what he is in this current version of himself.
“The rallies were going Carlos’ was early in this match. The big heavy ball. Novak saw it adjusted and did not loop any forehands for the rest of the match. They were all flat through the centre of the court.
“He said ‘Carlos if you are going to beat me, you are going to have to produce some magic from below your waist and from the middle of the court’. And Carlos wasn’t able to do that.”
Roddick’s brilliant analysis is aided by his own experiences at the top of the sport and it one of many reasons why his Served podcast has made such a positive impact in tennis.
Djokovic may not want the secrets of his successful tactics against Alcaraz highlighted to the watching world, but Roddick is a master of analysing how matches are decided and the young Spaniard can expect plenty of his rivals to cut down his angles and try to keep him in the centre of the court as they look to find a way to beat him.
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