Carlos Alcaraz reveals why he believes Novak Djokovic CAN be beaten at the Australian Open

Carlos Alcaraz’s hopes of playing another Grand Slam final against Novak Djokvoic are over for now – but he believes the world No 1 is in danger of being dethroned at this year’s Australian Open.

World No 2 Alcaraz was well beaten by Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals in Melbourne, as one of the two players in the draw who had beaten Djokovic at a Grand Slam was eliminated.

Alcaraz’s exit saw bookies trim their odds on Djokovic winning an 11th title in Melbourne and a stunning 25th Grand Slam in Sunday’s Final.

Yet an honest Alcaraz suggested Djokovic could still get beaten on the court where he has enjoyed more success than any other player.

And the Spaniard hinted semi-final rival Jannik Sinner could be the man to do it after he won two of his last three matches against Djokovic.

“I think the players that are in the semifinals have the level to beat him. Let’s see,” said Alcaraz.

“It’s not easy to beat Novak in a tournament, but I think it’s even tougher in a Grand Slam.

“But he has to face Jannik Sinner, that he’s playing an unbelievable game. He has not dropped a set in this tournament. That means that he has the level and the capacity to beat Novak.

“So let’s see. I’m gonna watch the matches, of course. And yeah, I think the players that are in this stage has the level to beat him.”

READ MORE: Four reasons why Jannik Sinner has become Novak Djokovic’s biggest nightmare

Sinner has suggested he is ready to lock horns with Djokovic once more in the semi-finals after he beat the Serbian in the ATP Finals and Davis Cup in the final weeks of last season.

This is what I practice for, no, to play against the best players in the world,” declared Sinner.

“Obviously he has an incredible record here, so for me it’s a pleasure to play against him, especially in the final stages of the tournament where things are a little bit more interesting.

“I’m looking forward to it, to be honest. It’s going to be tough. This, I know. I will control the controllable, which is giving 100 per cent, having the right attitude, fighting for every ball. And then we see the outcome.

“More than this, I cannot do. Doesn’t really matter who my opponent is. So I’m really looking forward to it and trying to prepare it in the best possible way.”

Meanwhile, former world No 1 Mats Wilander has suggested Djokovic’s hunger to beat the game’s young guns burns as brightly as ever, as he argued that is why the world No 1 continues to dominate at the top of the men’s game.

“Pete Sampras retired because he was sick of tennis I think, there’s a big difference,” he told Eurosport, reflecting on Sampras’ retirement after his win at the 2002 US Open. “No, I think he’s going retire when he doesn’t feel like putting in the work.

“I think he will never lose the feeling and happiness of playing in front of 15,000 people. I think he will always enjoy that because he’s such a warrior out there. But I think for him when you start losing a little bit, that is what’s really, really important to these guys.

“But that’s not the reason they’re playing. They’re playing to be competitive and to challenge themselves. But that starts with getting up in the morning and doing the work. And when that is not fun anymore, I think that’s when Novak Djokovic will retire.”